OpenType 'rand' (Randomize) feature not correctly implemented

[linusromer]

XeLaTeX 3.14159265-2.6-0.99996 (which uses HarfBuzz 1.0.1) does not use the OpenType 'rand' (Randomize) feature correctly. It seems like the 'rand' feature has not been correctly implemented in HarfBuzz. Obviously, HarfBuzz chooses a fixed variant for each glyph instead of picking the variants randomly.

See also this tex-stackexchange question.

[khaledhosny]

The rand feature is not currently supported in any special way, it will be treated as a regular feature and the first variant will always be picked since the document is not asking for any others. See this mailing list discussion on why it is not simple to support.

[linusromer]

The second restriction of this mailing list discussion implies that every word has to use the same seed. While I do not see the need of this restriction, I completely understand that it makes the support of the Randomize feature senseless.
Shall I close this issue, because it is not solvable by concept?

[behdad]

I don't think we'll get to implement this any time soon, to say the least.

[KrasnayaPloshchad]

I don't think we'll get to implement this any time soon, to say the least.

Does HarfBuzz allowing this feature working as 'salt' feature? If so, there is no necessary to consider for this, any client would get implementation to present any variant casually.

[KrasnayaPloshchad]

OK, you'll get solution if #673 is fixed.

[linusromer]

@KrasnayaPloshchad Good to know, thank you!

[KrasnayaPloshchad]

Yeah, pull requests are welcome.

[KrasnayaPloshchad]

Now I suggest focusing on #803 for this.