RAND_SET_RAND_METHOD(3)

✨ NAME ✨

okay so bestie, welcome to the RAND_SET_RAND_METHOD(3) page from the Library Functions Manual 💅 the whole squad here is RAND_set_rand_method, RAND_get_rand_method, and RAND_SSLeay — and their whole thing is to select RAND method. that’s the vibe 🎀

🌸 SYNOPSIS 🌸

#include <openssl/rand.h>

int
RAND_set_rand_method(const RAND_METHOD *meth);

const RAND_METHOD *
RAND_get_rand_method(void);

RAND_METHOD *
RAND_SSLeay(void);

🦋 DESCRIPTION 🦋

okay so back in the day, these functions used to allow for the random number generator functions to be replaced by arbitrary code. like, plug in your own RNG? iconic concept, but that’s the lore ✨

now? they are kept for ABI compatibility but are no longer functional, and should not be used in new programs. not me warning you: do not build new stuff on these. they’re giving legacy placeholder energy fr fr 😭💀

⭐ RETURN VALUES ⭐

• RAND_set_rand_method() — always returns 1. slay for predictability, I guess 💖
• RAND_get_rand_method() — always returns NULL.
• RAND_SSLeay() — always returns NULL.

👑 HISTORY 👑

RAND_set_rand_method(), RAND_get_rand_method(), and RAND_SSLeay() first appeared in SSLeay 0.9.1 and have been available since OpenBSD 2.6. vintage behavior, honestly 🎀🌷

cute sign-off bestie: this page’s source/version is Debian, dated March 21, 2018, and the manual is RAND_SET_RAND_METHOD(3) 🫶✨