# Conventions

This document makes no specific differentiation between random, pseudorandom, and quasi-random numbers, nor between random, pseudorandom, and quasi-random number generators unless the context requires otherwise. For details, refer to ‘Random Numbers’ section in VSL Notes document provided with Intel® MKL.

All generators of nonuniform distributions, both discrete and continuous, are built on the basis of the uniform distribution generators, called Basic Random Number Generators (BRNGs). The pseudorandom numbers with nonuniform distribution are obtained through an appropriate transformation of the uniformly distributed pseudorandom numbers. Such transformations are referred to as generation methods. For a given distribution, several generation methods can be used. See VSL Notes for the description of methods available for each generator.

The stream descriptor specifies which BRNG should be used in a given transformation method. See ‘Random Streams and RNGs in Parallel Computation’ section of VSL Notes.

The term computational node means a logical or physical unit that can process data in parallel.

- Mathematical Notation
- Naming Conventions

Parent topic: Random Number Generators