(j3.2006) Rationale for RANDOM_INIT?

[Steven G. Kargl]

First, this is my first port to this mailing list
after reading the list for the last few months.
If the topic is inappropriate, feel free to tell me.

I'm trying to understand the rationale behind the
new RANDOM_INIT subroutine, and in particular why
is the second argument, IMAGE_DISTINCT, not an
optional argument?  It seems that its purpose is
to be used in a program that uses co-arrays where
multiple instances of the program will be executed.
This then suggests that the argument is of no use
with programs that will never use co-arrays.

Is there a Nxxx.pdf document that I sould read?

-- 
Steve