HP 3000 Manuals HP 3000 Manuals
RANDOM Function
The RANDOM function returns a numeric value that is a pseudo-random
number for a rectangular distribution. The function type is numeric.
Syntax
FUNCTION RANDOM [(parameter-1)]
Parameters
parameter-1 parameter-1 is used as the seed value to generate a
sequence of pseudo-random numbers. If specified,
must be in integer between zero and 999999999,
inclusive.
If a subsequent reference specifies parameter-1, a
new sequence of pseudo-random numbers is started.
If the first reference to this function in the run
unit does not specify parameter-1, the seed value
is zero. In each case, subsequent references
without specifying parameter-1 returns the next
number in the current sequence.
If parameter-1 is specified, parameter-1 determines
a sequence of pseudo-random numbers. Each time a
value is returned, that 32-bit value is used in
place of parameter-1 to continue the pseudo-random
sequence.
For details on the RANDOM function, refer to the
Compiler Library/XL Reference Manual.
Return Value
The returned value is greater than or equal to zero and less than one.
For a given seed value, the sequence of pseudo-random numbers is always
the same.
Example
77 RANDOM-NUMBER PIC V99999 VALUE ZERO.
:
COMPUTE RANDOM-NUMBER = FUNCTION RANDOM (1)
DISPLAY RANDOM-NUMBER
COMPUTE RANDOM-NUMBER = FUNCTION RANDOM
DISPLAY RANDOM-NUMBER
COMPUTE RANDOM-NUMBER = FUNCTION RANDOM
DISPLAY RANDOM-NUMBER
COMPUTE RANDOM-NUMBER = FUNCTION RANDOM (2893)
DISPLAY RANDOM-NUMBER
COMPUTE RANDOM-NUMBER = FUNCTION RANDOM
DISPLAY RANDOM-NUMBER
COMPUTE RANDOM-NUMBER = FUNCTION RANDOM
DISPLAY RANDOM-NUMBER
The above example displays the following:
.04163
.36480
.73704
.40190
.06571
.61402