The RND function returns a random number with a value between 0 (inclusive) and 1 (exclusive).

Syntax

result! = RND [(n)]

Parameter(s)

• n is a SINGLE numeric value that defines the behavior of the RND function but is NOT normally required:
  • n parameter omitted: Returns next random number in the sequence.
  • n = 0: Return the last value returned.
  • n < 0: Always returns the same value for any given n
  • n > 0: the sequence of numbers generated will not change unless RANDOMIZE is initiated.

Description

• The random numbers generated range from 0 minimum to .9999999 maximum SINGLE values that never equal 1.
• To get values in a range larger than 1, multiply RND with a number to get returns up to but not including that numerical value.
• To get values starting at a certain number, add that number to the RND result as RND minimums can be 0.
• If you need an integer range of numbers, like a dice roll, round it down to an INT. Add 1 to the maximum number with INT.
• The random sequence is 2 ^ 24 or 16,777,216 entries long, which can allow repeated patterns in some procedures.
• Formulas for the INT or CINT of ANY number range from min%(lowest value) to max%(greatest value):
  • Using INT: randNum% = INT(RND * (max% - min% + 1)) + min%
  • Using CINT: randNum% = CINT(RND * (max% - min%)) + min%
• Use RANDOMIZE TIMER for different random number results each time a program is run.
• RUN should reset the RANDOMIZE sequence to the starting RND function value.(Not yet in QB64)

Example(s)

Generating a random integer value between 1 and 6 (inclusive) using INT.

dice% = INT(RND * 6) + 1 'add one as INT value never reaches 6 

Using uniform random numbers to create random numbers with a gaussian distribution ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsaglia_polar_method

Marsaglia’s polar method]).

DO
  u! = RND * 2 - 1
  v! = RND * 2 - 1
  s! = u! * u! + v! * v!
LOOP WHILE s! >= 1 OR s! = 0
s! = SQR(-2 * LOG(s!) / s!) * 0.5
u! = u! * s!
v! = v! * s! 

Explanation: Values u! and v! are now two independent random numbers with gaussian distribution, centered at 0.

Random flashes from an explosion

SCREEN _NEWIMAGE(640, 480, 32)
RANDOMIZE TIMER
BC = 120 ' BALL COUNT
DIM ballx(1 TO BC)
DIM bally(1 TO BC)
DIM velx(1 TO BC)
DIM vely(1 TO BC)
DIM bsize(1 TO BC)
Y = INT(RND * (400 - 100 + 1)) + 100
X0 = 325
Y0 = 300
Tmax = 150
DO
    FOR p = 1 TO BC
        T = INT(RND * (Tmax - 50 + 1)) + 50
        X = INT(RND * (1000 + 500 + 1)) - 500
        velx(p) = (X - X0) / T '                       calculate velocity based on flight time
        vely(p) = -1 * (Y - .05 * (T ^ 2 + 20 * Y0)) / (T) ' verticle velocity
    NEXT p

    FOR w = 1 TO BC
        bsize(w) = INT(RND * (10 - 0 + 1)) + 0 'size
    NEXT w

    FOR J = 1 TO Tmax
        _LIMIT 60
        CLS
        'FOR i = 0 TO 255 STEP .5
        'CIRCLE (X0, Y0), i, _RGB(255 - i, 0, 0), 0, 3.147
        ' NEXT i

        R = INT(RND * (25 - 20 + 1)) + 20 'random glimmer
        FOR z = 1 TO BC
            ballx(z) = X0 + velx(z) * J
            bally(z) = Y0 - vely(z) * J + .5 * .1 * J ^ 2
        NEXT z

        FOR d = 1 TO BC
            RCOL = INT(RND * (255 - 0 + 1)) 'color
            FOR i = 0 TO bsize(d) + 1 STEP .4 'draw balls
                CIRCLE (ballx(d), bally(d)), i, _RGBA(255, RCOL - (R * i), RCOL - R * i, 255)
            NEXT i
        NEXT d

        _DISPLAY

    NEXT J

LOOP UNTIL INKEY$ <> "" 

See Also

• RANDOMIZE, TIMER
• INT, CINT, FIX