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Set global random number stream


prevstream = RandStream.setGlobalStream(stream) designates the random number stream, specified as stream, to be the global stream that the rand, randi, and randn functions draw values from. It returns the previous global random number stream as prevstream.

rand, randi, and randn all rely on the same stream of uniform pseudorandom numbers, known as the global stream. rand draws one value from that stream to generate each uniform value it returns. randi draws one uniform value from that stream to generate each integer value it returns. And randn draws one or more uniform values to generate each normal value it returns. Note that you can also specify a specific random stream from which rand, randi, and randn draw values by creating a RandStream object and passing it as the first input argument.


The rng function is a shorter alternative for many common uses of RandStream.setGlobalStream

Input Arguments

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Random number stream, specified as a RandStream object.

Extended Capabilities

Introduced in R2011a