How to generate random number above 1

[nigeldude]

The rand( function generates a number between 0 and 1, how would i get random numbers between 1 and 99 for example?

[Tom Cone Jr]

Re: How to generate random number above 1

The Help file documentation illustrates how to generate random numbers between zero and 100. Perhaps that can be adapted to your needs.

[davidv43]

Re: How to generate random number above 1

Simply multiply the RAND() function by the upper number you want. You may have to round up, if you want to include the upper number.

e.g. to get a random number between 1 and 100,

Int(RAND() * 100) + 1 should do it.

Dave

[Tom Cone Jr]

Re: How to generate random number above 1

Dave, actually it's a tad more complicated. Your expression will produce 101 occasionally. -- tom

[davidv43]

Re: How to generate random number above 1

Sorry, you're right .. if RAND() equates to 1.0, the answer with my equation would be 101. While rare, one would need to test to make sure the answer is <= 100.

An IF statement could be added to test for this and change the result to 100 if it were > 100.

I think that's right.

[Tom Cone Jr]

Re: How to generate random number above 1

Something like this might do the trick:

FUNCTION One2NinetyNine AS N ( )
	dim candidate as N = 0
	while candidate = 0 .or. candidate = 100
		candidate = int(rand() * 100)
	end while
	One2NinetyNine = candidate	
END FUNCTION

[nigeldude]

Re: How to generate random number above 1

Thanks guys, your examples have shown me the concept. you've been much help.

PS. It doesnt really help to say search the help, cause the help is rarely helpful. Sample apps and examaple scripts are much better.

[Tom Cone Jr]

Re: How to generate random number above 1

Nigel, you're welcome of course.

If you've searched the help and have come up empty or don't understand it say so. Often folks post here without having checked the help file first. In cases where the answer is self-evident from the help file, I think it entirely appropriate to point to the solution there when there's no indication in the post that the help file was searched. It should be remembered also that these threads will be used by others searching on related issues. A timely reference to the help file can help them, too. In this particular instance you seemed stuck on how to generate a random number greater than 1. This is illustrated in code in the Helps.

[Raymond Lyons]

Re: How to generate random number above 1

Tom,

You are correct, of course. But I have to agree with Nigel on one point: The help files would be a whole lot more helpful if they had many more example scripts. I could be wrong but I believe the help files from several years back had far more such examples, and that really helped me learn.

Ray

[Tom Cone Jr]

Re: How to generate random number above 1

Ray, no argument here, except for the "generality" of what you say. When you hit a specific topic that lacks good examples, do you let them know? When you develop solutions yourself do you offer them as examples for others? I have done this myself a few times, but not nearly as often as I should have. If the user community did more than air generalized gripes the docs could be improved for all of us.

In the specific case at hand, do you think the examples in the docs explaining the RAND() function are inadequate? If so, l'd encourage you to let Alpha know, but do so in specific terms.

-- tom

[Al Buchholz]

Thought for the day.....

From others that are much smarter than I - and a bit older than all of us. Appears that this issue in general precedes us....


Then anyone who leaves behind him a written manual, and likewise anyone who receives it, in the belief that such writing will be clear and certain, must be exceedingly simple-minded. -- Plato, Phaedrus