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BRL.Random

The random module contains commands for generating random numbers.

The numbers generated are not really random, as without special hardware support a software algorithm cannot produce 'real' random numbers.

Instead, the algorithm produces values that merely appear to be random. In reality, each generated value actually depends on the previously generated value.

You can set the 'state' of the random number generator using the SeedRnd command. A common practice is to seed the random number generator with the system time when your program starts up, for example:

SeedRnd MilliSecs()

This ensures that the random number generator does not start in the same state each time your program is run, which would cause it to produce the same sequence of random numbers.

Types

Type	Description
TRandom	Random number generator

Functions

Function RndFloat:Float()

Generate random float

Returns

A random float in the range 0 (inclusive) to 1 (exclusive)

Example

' RndFloat.bmx
' Two players take turns shooting at a target. The first hit wins.
' Player 1 hits 30% of the time, player 2 hits 40%.
' What is the probability that player 1 wins?

SuperStrict

Function winner:Int()   ' play game once, return winner 1 or 2
    Repeat
        If RndFloat() < 0.3 Then Return 1
        If RndFloat() < 0.4 Then Return 2
    Forever
End Function

Local count:Int[3]

Local trials:Int = 1000000

For Local n:Int = 1 To trials
    count[ winner() ] :+ 1
Next

Print "Estimated probability = " + ( Float( count[1] ) / Float( trials ) )
Print
Print "    Exact probability = " + ( 15.0 / 29.0 )

Function RndDouble:Double()

Generate random double

Returns

A random double in the range 0 (inclusive) to 1 (exclusive)

Example

' RndDouble.bmx
' Two players take turns shooting at a target. The first hit wins.
' Player 1 hits 30% of the time, player 2 hits 40%.
' What is the probability that player 1 wins?

SuperStrict

Function winner:Int()   ' play game once, return winner 1 or 2
    Repeat
        If RndDouble() < 0.3 Then Return 1
        If RndDouble() < 0.4 Then Return 2
    Forever
End Function

Local count:Int[3]

Local trials:Int = 1000000

For Local n:Int = 1 To trials
    count[ winner() ] :+ 1
Next

Print "Estimated probability = " + ( Double( count[1] ) / Double( trials ) )
Print
Print "    Exact probability = " + ( 15.0 / 29.0 )

Function Rnd:Double(minValue:Double = 1, maxValue:Double = 0)

Generate random double

The optional parameters allow you to use Rnd in 3 ways:

Format	Result
`Rnd()`	Random double in the range 0 (inclusive) to 1 (exclusive)
`Rnd(x)`	Random double in the range 0 (inclusive) to n (exclusive)
`Rnd(x,y)`	Random double in the range x (inclusive) to y (exclusive)

Returns

A random double in the range min (inclusive) to max (exclusive)

Example

' Rnd.bmx
' Use Rnd() to estimate area inside the unit circle x^2 + y^2 = 1.

SuperStrict

Local totalpoints:Int = 1000000
Local inpoints:Int

For Local n:Int = 1 To totalpoints
    Local x:Double = Rnd( -1.0, 1.0 )               ' Generate random point in 2 by 2 square.
    Local y:Double = Rnd( -1.0, 1.0 )

    If x*x + y*y < 1.0 Then inpoints :+ 1     ' point is inside the circle
Next

' Note: Ratio of areas circle/square is exactly Pi/4.

Print "Estimated area = " + ( 4.0 * Double(inpoints)/Double(totalpoints) )
Print
Print "    Exact area = " + Pi     '  4 * Pi/4, compare with estimate

Function Rand:Int(minValue:Int, maxValue:Int = 1)

Generate random integer

The optional parameter allows you to use Rand in 2 ways:

Format	Result
`Rand(x)`	Random integer in the range 1 to x (inclusive)
`Rand(x,y)`	Random integer in the range x to y (inclusive)

Returns

A random integer in the range min (inclusive) to max (inclusive)

Example

' Rand.bmx
' Toss a pair of dice. Result is in the range 1+1 to 6+6.
' Count how many times each result appears.

SuperStrict

Local count:Int[13]

For Local n:Int = 1 To 3600
    Local toss:Int = Rand(1,6) + Rand(1,6)
    count[toss] :+ 1
Next

For Local toss:Int = 2 To 12
    Print LSet(toss, 5)+count[toss]
Next

Function SeedRnd(seed:Int)

Set random number generator seed

Example

' RndSeed.bmx and SeedRnd.bmx ( one example for both )
' Get/Set random number seed.

SuperStrict

SeedRnd MilliSecs()

Local seed:Int = RndSeed()

Print "Initial seed="+seed

For Local k:Int = 1 To 10
Print Rand(10)
Next

Print "Restoring seed"

SeedRnd seed

For Local k:Int = 1 To 10
Print Rand(10)
Next

Function RndSeed:Int()

Get random number generator seed

Used in conjunction with SeedRnd, RndSeed allows you to reproduce sequences of random numbers.

Returns

The current random number generator seed

Example

' RndSeed.bmx and SeedRnd.bmx ( one example for both )
' Get/Set random number seed.

SuperStrict

SeedRnd MilliSecs()

local seed:int = RndSeed()

Print "Initial seed="+seed

For local k:int = 1 To 10
    Print Rand(10)
Next

Print "Restoring seed"

SeedRnd seed

For local k:int = 1 To 10
    Print Rand(10)
Next