Investigate implementing rand/randn in pure Cython

[mstimberg]

The current Cython implementation for Cython (i.e. rand() and randn()) jumps through some hoops to call numpy's random functions via Python, buffering it in a numpy array. Since numpy 1.8, numpy.random has a dedicated Cython/C API, so we might be able to replace this with an easier and more efficient solution.

https://numpy.org/doc/stable/reference/random/c-api.html

This is mostly a note for my future self, I have not yet looked into this in detail.

[mushkanrana73]

Hi, I would like to investigate this issue as part of my GSoC 2026 preparation.
I’ll start by exploring the current implementation and possible approaches in Cython.

[mstimberg]

Hi @mushkanrana73 please note that this issue is quite old, and I think with the general long-term plan to move away from Cython runtime code generation (see #1769), the change in #1664 is more in line with what we want to do.

[mushkanrana73]

Thanks a lot for the clarification!

That makes sense — I understand that this issue is tied to an older Cython runtime path, and it’s more useful for me to align with the long-term direction of the project instead of continuing in the wrong area.

I’ll go through #1769 and the changes in #1664 next so I can better understand the preferred direction and continue contributing accordingly.

Really appreciate the guidance — thank you!