random

1.00

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Description

Description:

Random real (floating point) value from 0 (inclusive) to x (not inclusive).

Since Arma 3 v1.56 alternative syntax is added, allowing the definition of 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 v1.68 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)

Syntax

Syntax:

random x

Parameters:

x: Number

Return Value:

Number

Alternative Syntax

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

Alternative Syntax 2

Syntax:

seed random x Since Arma 3 v1.67.139663

Parameters:

seed: Number

x: Number

Return Value:

Number - value from 0 to x

Alternative Syntax 3

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 - value from 0 to 1

Examples

Example 1:

_rNumber = random 1;

Example 2:

_rNumber = random -10;

Example 3:

Generate a random position inside a circle (see also Example Code: Random Area Distribution) _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:

selectRandomselectRandomWeighted

Groups:

Math

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

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%