random

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Revision as of 11:58, 22 July 2018 by Lou Montana (talk | contribs) (Add syntax #3 details)
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Description

Description:
bellcurve.jpg
Random real (floating point) value from 0 (inclusive) to x (not inclusive).


Since Arma 3 v1.55.133393 alternative syntax is added, allowing to define Gaussian Distribution params. Uses the same method as setTriggerTimeout command. Quite useful for spawning loot for example, making more valuable items more rare (Alternative Syntax 1)

Since Arma 3 v1.67.139663 two alternative syntaxes are available:

  • allowing to generate semi-random number based on provided seed (Alternative Syntax 2)
  • generating pseudo-random noise texture based on provided seed and returning a single number between 0 (included) and 1 (excluded) at supplied x and y coordinates (Alternative Syntax 3)
Groups:
Uncategorised

Syntax 1

Syntax:
random x
Parameters:
x: Number
Return Value:
Number

Syntax 2

Syntax:
random [min, mid, max]        (Since Arma 3 v1.55.133393)
Parameters:
[min, mid, max]: Array
min: Number
mid: Number
max: Number
Return Value:
Number

Syntax 3

Syntax:
seed random x        (Since Arma 3 v1.67.139663)
Parameters:
seed: Number
x: Number
Return Value:
Number

Syntax 4

Syntax:
seed random [x, y]        (Since Arma 3 v1.67.139663)
Parameters:
seed: Number
[x, y]: Array position on the Perlin noise texture
x: Number
y: Number
Return Value:
Number

Examples

Example 1:
_rNumber = random 1;
Example 2:
_rNumber = random -10;
Example 3:
Generate random position inside a circle _center getPos [_radius * sqrt random 1, random 360];
Example 4:
To select random value from an array: _array = ["apples", "pears", "bananas", "M16"]; _random = _array select floor random count _array; // since Arma 3 v1.55.133393 _random = selectRandom _array;

Additional Information

See also:
Math CommandsselectRandomselectRandomWeighted

Notes

Report bugs on the Feedback Tracker and/or discuss them on the Arma Discord or on the Forums.
Only post proven facts here! Add Note

Notes

Posted on July 12, 2015 - 20:32 (UTC)
Hcpookie
Random selections including negative numbers can be obtained via: _Xrnd = round(random 200) -100; This will yield numbers between -100 and 100.
  • Be careful using random numbers in multiplayer, each client will come up with a different result. See multiplayer tutorials for more general information about locality.
  • The number returned is unlikely to be a whole number.
To return a whole number use either round, ceil or floor together with random: x = round(random 5) will return 0,1,2,3,4 or 5. (non-uniform distribution, 0 and 5 are half as likely to be selected than any of the other numbers) x = floor(random 5) will return 0,1,2,3 or 4. (uniform distribution, all numbers have the same probability of being selected) x = ceil(random 5) will return 0,1,2,3,4 or 5. (0 is very unlikely, but possible, as ceil 0 is 0)
Posted on July 22, 2018 - 12:58 (UTC+2)
Lou Montana
Repartition comparison
Formula 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
floor random 10; 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10%
floor random [0, 5, 10] 0% 2% 7% 17% 25% 25% 17% 7% 2% 0%
floor random [0, 10, 0] 0% 0% 1% 2% 5% 9% 14% 19% 24% 26%
floor random [0, 10, 5] 0% 0% 0% 1% 2% 5% 9% 16% 28% 38%