What kind of behavior may occur when using the rand() function without proper seeding?

What kind of behavior may occur when using the rand() function without proper seeding?

• A. It may always return zero
• B. It may return the same value every time
• C. It may generate a string instead of an integer
• D. It may cause a compilation error

Answer: (B)

The correct answer is that using the rand() function without proper seeding may return the same value every time. The rand() function generates pseudo-random numbers, which means that the sequence of numbers it produces is determined by an initial value known as a seed. If the seed is not set using the srand() function, the rand() function will default to the same initial seed each time the program runs. As a result, it generates the same sequence of random numbers on subsequent executions, leading to predictable and non-random behavior. This characteristic is crucial when randomness is required, such as in simulations or games, where varying outputs are necessary for functionality. Without proper seeding, the predictability can undermine the integrity of applications that rely on random behavior.

The correct answer is that using the rand() function without proper seeding may return the same value every time. The rand() function generates pseudo-random numbers, which means that the sequence of numbers it produces is determined by an initial value known as a seed. If the seed is not set using the srand() function, the rand() function will default to the same initial seed each time the program runs. As a result, it generates the same sequence of random numbers on subsequent executions, leading to predictable and non-random behavior.

This characteristic is crucial when randomness is required, such as in simulations or games, where varying outputs are necessary for functionality. Without proper seeding, the predictability can undermine the integrity of applications that rely on random behavior.