random.uniform

function

Library: Random number utilities (OMRANDOM)
Import : omrandom.xmd

Returns: a pseudo-random number

Declaration

export external integer function 
   uniform from value integer low  optional
             to value integer high optional

Argument definitions

low: The smallest number that can be generated

high: The largest number that can be generated

Purpose

random.uniform returns a pseudo-random number in the given range. If low is not given, it defaults to 0. If high is not given, then random.max-random is used.

Example

The following program outputs ten random numbers between 0 and random.max-random (32767), inclusive:

  import "omutil.xmd"   prefixed by util.
  import "omrandom.xmd" prefixed by random.
  
  process
     random.set-seed to util.millisecond-time
     repeat to 10
        output "d" % random.uniform || "%n"
     again

Example

The following program outputs five random numbers between 1 and 6, inclusive:

  import "omutil.xmd"   prefixed by util.
  import "omrandom.xmd" prefixed by random.
  
  process
     random.set-seed to util.millisecond-time
     repeat to 5
        output "d" % random.uniform from 1 to 6 || " "
     again
     output "%n"

In the examples above, random.set-seed uses the millisecond timer value to initialize the random number generator. This ensures a different sequence of pseudo-random numbers each time the program is run.

The distribution of returned values over the range is uniform. (Each value has the same chance of occurring.)

The difference between high and low should not exceed random.max-random (32767). If it does, not all discrete values in the range may be returned.

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