Ask A Scientist© Computer Science Archive

Index Key:   COM047
Author:      taylor x
Subject:     Randomize command for BASIC programming.
What is the command in BASIC programming to have the computer make a random
selection?  I am doing a program and it is driving me bonkers!

Response #:  1 of 1
Author:      gregory r bradburn
Assign sequential integers to represent the possible selections.  Call the
random number generation function (perhaps RAN, RANDOM or RND??) to get a
real number from 0.0 to 1.0 (If your lucky your random number generator will
return integers in a selected range.  If so, you are done!)  Now you just
need to devise a way to "map" the number returned from your random number
generator to your selections.  If you have assigned numbers to your selec-
tions starting with 1 then multiply the random number by the number of
selections and add 1.0.  Finally, truncate the resulting real number.  The
integer part will (randomly) point to one of your selections.