sim.util.distribution
Class AbstractDistribution

java.lang.Object
  extended by sim.util.distribution.AbstractDistribution
All Implemented Interfaces:
java.io.Serializable
Direct Known Subclasses:
AbstractContinousDistribution, AbstractDiscreteDistribution

public abstract class AbstractDistribution
extends java.lang.Object
implements java.io.Serializable

Abstract base class for all random distributions. A subclass of this class need to override method nextDouble() and, in rare cases, also nextInt().

Currently all subclasses use a uniform pseudo-random number generation engine and transform its results to the target distribution. Thus, they expect such a uniform engine upon instance construction.

cern.jet.random.engine.MersenneTwister is recommended as uniform pseudo-random number generation engine, since it is very strong and at the same time quick. #makeDefaultGenerator() will conveniently construct and return such a magic thing. You can also, for example, use cern.jet.random.engine.DRand, a quicker (but much weaker) uniform random number generation engine. Of course, you can also use other strong uniform random number generation engines.

Ressources on the Web:

Check the Web version of the CERN Data Analysis Briefbook . This will clarify the definitions of most distributions.
Also consult the StatSoft Electronic Textbook - the definite web book.

Other useful ressources:

Another site and yet another site describing the definitions of several distributions.
You may want to check out a Glossary of Statistical Terms.
The GNU Scientific Library contains an extensive (but hardly readable) list of definition of distributions.
Use this Web interface to plot all sort of distributions.
Even more ressources: Internet glossary of Statistical Terms, a text book, another text book.
Finally, a good link list Statistics on the Web.

See Also:
cern.jet.random.engine, cern.jet.random.engine.Benchmark, cern.jet.random.Benchmark, Serialized Form

Field Summary
protected  MersenneTwisterFast randomGenerator
           
 
Constructor Summary
protected AbstractDistribution()
          Makes this class non instantiable, but still let's others inherit from it.
 
Method Summary
 double apply(double dummy)
          Equivalent to nextDouble().
 int apply(int dummy)
          Equivalent to nextInt().
protected  MersenneTwisterFast getRandomGenerator()
          Returns the used uniform random number generator;
abstract  double nextDouble()
          Returns a random number from the distribution.
 int nextInt()
          Returns a random number from the distribution; returns (int) Math.round(nextDouble()).
protected  void setRandomGenerator(MersenneTwisterFast randomGenerator)
          Sets the uniform random generator internally used.
 
Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object
clone, equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait
 

Field Detail

randomGenerator

protected MersenneTwisterFast randomGenerator
Constructor Detail

AbstractDistribution

protected AbstractDistribution()
Makes this class non instantiable, but still let's others inherit from it.

Method Detail

apply

public double apply(double dummy)
Equivalent to nextDouble(). This has the effect that distributions can now be used as function objects, returning a random number upon function evaluation.


apply

public int apply(int dummy)
Equivalent to nextInt(). This has the effect that distributions can now be used as function objects, returning a random number upon function evaluation.


getRandomGenerator

protected MersenneTwisterFast getRandomGenerator()
Returns the used uniform random number generator;


nextDouble

public abstract double nextDouble()
Returns a random number from the distribution.


nextInt

public int nextInt()
Returns a random number from the distribution; returns (int) Math.round(nextDouble()). Override this method if necessary.


setRandomGenerator

protected void setRandomGenerator(MersenneTwisterFast randomGenerator)
Sets the uniform random generator internally used.