C++ Primer, Fifth Edition

A.3.2 Random Number Engines

The library defines three classes that implement different algorithms for generating random numbers. The library also defines three adaptors that modify the sequences produced by a given engine. The engine and engine adaptor classes are templates. Unlike the parameters to the distributions, the parameters to these engines are complex and require detailed understanding of the math used by the particular engine. We list the engines here so that the reader is aware of their existence, but describing how to generate these types is beyond the scope of this Primer.

The library also defines several types that are built from the engines or adaptors. The default_random_engine type is a type alias for one of the engine types ...