ThinBASIC Core Language > BuiltIn Functions > Numeric functions

Description

Return a random number.

Syntax

There are 3 possible syntax:

n = RND

n = RND(a, b)

n = RND(numeric_expression)

Returns

Number

Parameters

Name	Type	Optional	Meaning
a	Number	No	Any numeric expression
b	Number	No	Any numeric expression
numeric_expression	Number	No	Any numeric expression

Remarks

RND function has 3 different calling syntax.

Extended numeric syntax:

RND executed without any parameters returns a random Extended-precision floating point value that is less than 1, but greater than or equal to 0.

Numbers generated by RND aren't really random, but are the result of applying a pseudo-random transformation algorithm to a starting ("seed") value.

Given the same seed, RND algorithm always produces the same sequence of "random" numbers.

Integer class numeric syntax:

RND(a, b) returns a Long-integer in the range of a to b inclusive. a and b can each be a numeric literal or a numeric expression that evaluates within the full range of a Long-integer (-2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647). a can be higher or lower than b.

Special mode syntax:

When used with a single numeric expression argument, the value returned by RND depends on the numeric value you supply as the argument, as follows:

•with a positive argument, RND generates the next number in sequence based on the initial seed value;

•with an argument of 0, RND repeats the last number generated;

•a negative argument causes the random number generator to be re-seeded, so subsequent uses of RND with no argument or with a positive argument result in a new sequence of values.

Restrictions