Random Numbers
Lesson #1 - The Basics of Random Numbers
Sometimes it's useful to have the program pick a value "at random". That is to say, have the program generate a value that can't be predicted. In the case of card games, the program might choose any of the 52 playing cards in a standard deck. Or, perhaps, randomly select one of the six sides of a standard die. In the case of video games, a computer-controlled character might have to select a direction in which to move. All of these situations can easily be handled through the use of random numbers.How Do I Get Random Numbers?
The Visual Basic function Rnd is used to return psuedo-random values.
Why Psuedo?Most computers (perhaps all computers) don't generate truly random values. To be truly random, the value must not be predictable. However, computers use complex mathematical formulas to generate values which look random, but really aren't. Even though the formulas are complex, they're still predictable. Conceptually, random numbers generated by a computer can be thought of as a very, very long list of values. The computer always returns the values in the same order, but it doesn't always start at the same place in the list. If the list contained a million values, sometimes the computer would return values starting at the first value, but sometimes it might start at the 105,768th value. Because the starting point is unknown and the list is so long, a repeatable pattern is not discernable. A little later, some of the benefits of having a repeatable pattern will be discussed. |
- 0 <= Rnd < 1
- Int((HighestValue - LowestValue + 1) * Rnd) + LowestValue
'===============================================
'Rand - Return a random number in a given range.
'
'Parameters:
' Low - The lower bounds of the range.
' High - The upper bounds of the range.
'
'Returns:
' Returns a random number from Low..High.
'===============================================
Public Function Rand(ByVal Low As Long, _
ByVal High As Long) As Long
Rand = Int((High - Low + 1) * Rnd) + Low
End Function
With this function, random values can easily be generated to simulate such things as dealing cards or rolling dice.
DieValue = Rand(1, 6) CardValue = Rand(1, 52)
Initializing the Random Numbers
Each time a program is run, the psuedo-random values returned by Rnd are always the same! Obviously, this is very predictable and not random at all. However, VB has also provided the Randomize method. Use Randomize to initialize VB's random number generator. This is called seeding. To avoid generating the same sequence of psuedo-random values, call Randomize before you call Rnd; but this only has to be done once. A good place to seed the psuedo-random number generator is in the Form's Load event:Private Sub Form_Load() 'Initialize the random # generator. Randomize End Sub
Repeating Random Numbers
If Randomize is not called before Rnd, the same series of psuedo-random values will be returned. It's as if VB always starts returning values from the first entry of that conceptual internal list of 1 million psuedo-random values. There are occasions when it will be desireable to repeat a series of psuedo-random values, but not always from the "first" entry of the internal list of 1 million. To start somewhere else in that conceptual list, call Rnd with a negative parameter, followed by a call to Randomize, passing it the starting point. For example:'Tell VB to initialize using Randomize's parameter. Rnd -1 'Tell VB to use 123 as the initialization point (seed). Randomize 123By replacing 123 with a different seed value, the starting point into the conceptual list of 1 million psuedo-random values changes, but each time the program is run, the values returned will always be in the same sequence.
Why Would I Want Repeating Random Numbers?
There are at least two good senarios where repeatable sequences of psuedo-random numbers can be beneficial. First, it's good for testing. Testing programs that use random values is made easier if the sequence of random values is foreknown. If a program makes decisions based on random values and it is know what those values will be, it is easier to predict what decisions the program should make. Second, certain types of encryption algorythms utilize repeatable random number sequences. By properly seeding the psuedo-random number generator, a repeatable pattern can be generated. Since there are many possible seed values to Randomize, it would be difficult for anyone to guess which one has been chosen. Lesson #3 covers one possible usage of random numbers in an encryption scheme.What Was That Last Random Number?
Passing zero as the parameter to Rnd will cause Rnd to return the same psuedo-random value that it did in the previous call. For example:Dim r1 As Single Dim r2 As Single Randomize 'Generate a random number. r1 = Rnd 'Generate the same random number as last time. r2 = Rnd(0) 'r1 should equal r2 If r1 = r2 Then MsgBox "That's what's suppose to happen." Else MsgBox "It didn't work the way Brian said it would." End If
Why Would I Want The Last Random Number?
I have no idea. :-)Lesson Project
There is an associated project that demonstrates the material covered in this lesson. Download it HERE. Placing the mouse over a control will display a ToolTip that describes the control's function:
What's Next?
Lesson #2 will discuss some of the ways random numbers can be used.© 2000, Visual Basic Explorer
Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson 3 Download All (All 3 lessons w/samples)