Function: random (x)

    • Generation of a pseudorandom number
    • random (x) returns an integer from 0 through x - 1 inclusive.

    Example:
        (%i ) random(10);
        (%o )5
        (%i ) random(10);
        (%o )8
        (%i ) random(10);
        (%o )1

        (%i ) random(10.0);
        (%o ) 4.155627227214829
        (%i7) random(10.0);
        (%o ) 6.125738892538246
        (%i ) random(10.0);
        (%o ) 8.418126553359214

        (%i ) n: 10000$
        (%i ) c: 0$
        (%i ) for i: 1 thru n do if (random(1.0)^2 + random(1.0)^2 < 1) then c: c + 1;
        (%o ) done
        (%i ) float(4 * c / n);
        (%o ) 3.1348

        (%i ) s: make_random_state(true);
        (%o ) Structure [RANDOM-STATE]
        (%i ) set_random_state( s );
        (%o ) done

        (%i ) linel:30;
        (%o ) 30
      linel is the assumed width (in characters) of the console display for the purpose of displaying expressions.
    See Also:
    •   OCTAVE :: RAND ... Uniform Distribution Random Elements Generation
    •   OCTAVE :: RANDN ... Normal Distribution Random Elements Generation

    EXAMPLE: