Random

Miscellaneous
Aptilis 1

Random(Range)

Random returns a random number between 0 (included) and the 'range' parameter (excluded).
The random generator is initialized with a nearly random seed each time Aptilis is launched, but you can force a reinitialization, (that is using the time as the seed for new random numbers) by indicating a negative range. The absolute value of the range is then used to generate a new random number.
Random can be very useful in the implementation of games.
Warning: The Unix implementation of random might cause some bias with large ranges.

Return Value:
An integer random number n, with 0 <= n < range.

Example:

for i=1 to 5
print(random(10), "\n")
end for
Result:
7.0000
2.0000
2.0000
5.0000
4.0000

Notes
Random generators usually use a 'seed' or a starting point number to generate pseudo random numbers. The quality of the 'randomness' might vary from platform to platform, depending on how it has been implemented into the different Operating Systems.
No computer generated random numbers are absolutely random, and the more you run a randomizing generator, the more you are likely to entcounter a pattern, ie. a recurring suite of numbers.
By repeatedly resetting the generator, you may introduce a random factor, for example the time it takes a user to answer a question and that will lessen the risk of a pattern occuring.