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pythonsecurityrandompython-3.6

How to use Python `secret` module to generate random integer?

In Python 3.6, new module, secrets, was added.

What is the most efficient way to generate random integer in range [n, m) using this module?

I tried choice(range(n, m)), but I doubt it is the best way.

Solution

  • secrets.choice(range(n, m)) should be fine, since range is lazy on Python 3.

    n + secrets.randbelow(m-n) is another option. I wouldn't use it, since it's less obviously correct.

    Since secrets provides access to the SystemRandom class, with the same interface as random.Random, you can also keep your own SystemRandom instance:

    my_secure_rng = secrets.SystemRandom()

    and do

    my_secure_rng.randrange(n, m)