Rnd Function

 

Returns a random number.

Syntax

Rnd[(number)]

Remarks

The number argument can be any valid numeric expression.

The Rnd function returns a value less than 1 but greater than or equal to 0. The value of number determines how Rnd generates a random number:

If number is

Rnd generates

Less than zero

The same number every time, using number as the seed.

Greater than zero

The next random number in the sequence.

Equal to zero

The most recently generated number.

Not supplied

The next random number in the sequence.

For any given initial seed, the same number sequence is generated because each successive call to the Rnd function uses the previous number as a seed for the next number in the sequence.

Before calling Rnd, use the Randomize statement without an argument to initialize the random-number generator with a seed based on the system timer.

To produce random integers in a given range, use this formula:

Int((upperbound - lowerbound + 1) * Rnd + lowerbound)

Here, upperbound is the highest number in the range, and lowerbound is the lowest number in the range.

Note

To repeat sequences of random numbers, call Rnd with a negative argument immediately before using Randomize with a numeric argument. Using Randomize with the same value for number does not repeat the previous sequence.

Requirements

Version 1

See Also

Randomize Statement