[REBOL] Re: Random CGI
From: chris:starforge at: 4-Feb-2001 10:18
#04-Feb-01# Message from *Terry Brownell*:
Hi Terry,
> The problem is, it always picks the same number regardless?
Before you use *any* sort of random number generator you need to set the
seed value. random probably has a built-in, fixed value default which is
fine if you need a single run of "somewhat random" values (I doubt that
random uses a decent quality linear congruence or subtractive method
algorithm so don't expect it to be random over long periods) but if you
need to do several "one off" random numbers you should either:
- write a function that takes the current time, plays with it a bit and
returns a value you can use.
- call
random/seed now
before calling random (more or less the same as the first option really)
If you need something "very" random (ie: not related to the time in any
way) then you'll need to use a seed store on the server and load and save
the seed for each session...
Chris
--
New sig in the works
Explorer 2260, Designer and Coder
http://www.starforge.co.uk
--
Cleanliness is next to impossible.