System Functions

RND( )

Return Random Number

Format

RND(seed[,ERR=stmtref])
  
Where: 

seed

Numeric expression must be (or result in) an integer. The value of this number is used to determine the result of the function.

stmtref

Program line number or statement label to which to transfer control.

Returns

Random numbers based on given seed.

Description

The RND( ) function returns random numbers based on the seed given. The following table describes the value returned based on the seed value:

> 0

If seed is greater than zero, the random number returned will range from 0 to one less than the given number.

= 0

If seed equals zero, the random number returned is between 0 and 1 with PRECISION=8.

< 0

If seed is less than zero, the function initializes the seed value used to generate random numbers and returns a random number between 0 and 1 with PRECISION=8.

Each call to the RND( ) function will return a different random number. To change the seed value for the random number generation, you can either execute a RANDOMIZE directive or call RND( ) with a negative value. If your value is not an integer, PxPlus returns Error #41: Invalid integer encountered (range error or non-integer).

See Also

RANDOMIZE Set Random Key
RND Random Number Generator

Example

rem
     for I=1 to 10
          print rnd(9),
     next
     print 'LF',rnd(0)
     print rnd(-1)
     print " DONE";
     end

->run
1 1 7 0 7 7 4 4 5 7
0.05947216
0.11337858
DONE