Creating same random number sequence in Python, NumPy and R

Question

Python, NumPy and R all use the same algorithm (Mersenne Twister) for generating random number sequences. Thus, theoretically speaking, setting the same seed should result in same random number sequences in all 3. This is not the case. I think the 3 implementations use different parameters causing this behavior.

R
>set.seed(1)
>runif(5)
[1] 0.2655087 0.3721239 0.5728534 0.9082078 0.2016819

Python
In [3]: random.seed(1)

In [4]: [random.random() for x in range(5)]
Out[4]: 
[0.13436424411240122,
 0.8474337369372327,
 0.763774618976614,
 0.2550690257394217,
 0.49543508709194095]

NumPy
In [23]: import numpy as np

In [24]: np.random.seed(1)
In [25]: np.random.rand(5)
Out[25]: 
array([  4.17022005e-01,   7.20324493e-01,   1.14374817e-04,
         3.02332573e-01,   1.46755891e-01])

Is there some way, where NumPy and Python implementation could produce the same random number sequence? Ofcourse as some comments and answers point out, one could use rpy. What I am specifically looking for is to fine tune the parameters in the respective calls in Python and NumPy to get the sequence.

Context: The concern comes from an EDX course offering in which R is used. In one of the forums, it was asked if Python could be used and the staff replied that some assignments would require setting specific seeds and submitting answers.

Related:

1. Comparing Matlab and Numpy code that uses random number generation From this it seems that the underlying NumPy and Matlab implementation are similar.
2. python vs octave random generator: This question does come fairly close to the intended answer. Some sort of wrapper around the default state generator is required.

Answer 1

use rpy2 to call r in python, here is a demo, the numpy array data is sharing memory with x in R:

import rpy2.robjects as robjects

data = robjects.r("""
set.seed(1)
x <- runif(5)
""")

print np.array(data)

data[1] = 1.0

print robjects.r["x"]

Answer 2

I realize this is an old question, but I've stumbled upon the same problem recently, and created a solution which can be useful to others.

I've written a random number generator in C, and linked it to both R and Python. This way, the random numbers are guaranteed to be the same in both languages since they are generated using the same C code.

The program is called SyncRNG and can be found here: https://github.com/GjjvdBurg/SyncRNG.