Need an answer quick: Random()

1

This should be a really easy question. Can random() select randomly between letters or strings instead of numbers?
Like this maybe:

milk = random(cookie,box,spoon);

Is something like this possible?

2

No, I donā€™t think it does. But please someone correct me if Iā€™m wrong.

You would however be able to generate a random number, then use that to pull a string out of an array, for example.

3

yeahā€¦ I would do that with a simple array situationā€¦ thatā€™s what they are for

storage=New array(cookie,box,spoon);

something=storage[Math.floor(Math.random()*3+1)];

or something like that anyway

1 Like
4

Can you please explain this line?

something=storage[Math.floor(Math.random()*3+1)];

Thanks.

5

ā€˜somethingā€™ is a variable that I am setting to equal one of the array items. It could be anything including a dynamicaly created variableā€¦ though that seems redundent with an array already set up.

The line ā€œstorage[Math.floor(Math.random()*3+1)];ā€ is supposed to do thisā€¦ but I havenā€™t tested itā€¦ itā€™s just from my head

storage[ this is the array name as set up in the first line. What belongs inside itā€™s square brackets is a number. (I already see a mistakeā€¦ Iā€™ll fix it below) But we can be tricky and place a variable or an expression in the square brackets instead, as long as it translates to a valid number.

Math.floor(Math.random()*3+1) this is supposed to be generating a number between 1 and 3, but I forgot that an arrayā€™s first item is number 0, not number 1. Itā€™s a mistake I make all the time. So the a/s should really be

storage[Math.floor(Math.random()*3)];

Math.floor(); rounds whatever is inside itā€™s brackets to the next lowest whole number.
Math.random() produces a number between 0.00 and 1.00. Multiply that by three and you get a number between 0.00 and 2.00 (3*.99=2.97) rounded down at leastā€¦ it will always be 0,1,or 2.

] then finaly a closing square bracket

These are the fun commands where you start getting wild ideas about dynamic creation and sorting of information. Be preparedā€¦ you will soon be insane like the rest of us. :wink:

6

I donā€™t get it why canā€™t you just do this: Math.random(2) ?

7

Math.random(3) = Messy decimal numbers

Math.floor(Math.random()*3) = Nice whole numbers that are rounded down (rounded down so you can get zero)

8

Math.random(3); would be improper syntax. The old style was
random(3); but Math.random(3) wont do what youā€™re thinkin.

9

Haha, good point, it does work though david. That is what I have been meaning to ask you but forgot.

I know it is written as Math.random()*3 (and that is how I always write it), but why is Math.random(3) considered improper syntax when it works perfectly fine?

10

hmmā€¦ I donā€™t know. Iā€™ve just always believed that it wouldnā€™t work. Perhaphs I just havenā€™t experiemented with it.

11

Ah yes, after re-experimenting with it while using the trace function, I found it only returns 1ā€™s and 0ā€™s if you have it has Math.random(3)ā€¦ makes me wonder what I did different when I first tested itā€¦eh oh well, I still know I do it right now.

12

using Math.random(3); I came up with these number out of ten tries

0.182616225528818
0.246697391498227
0.496306900166118
0.294558602056726
0.0384465507410683
0.804301160762227
0.274645778944085
0.671068015820844
0.376926560130402
0.70065694567778

using Math.random()*3; I came up with these

1.44232590051476
2.42299682899518
0.169483414930051
0.996716877909711
1.47894309949081
1.74336946464301
1.63587004488142
2.7064569735464
0.101575112948928
1.76893623628138

So the Math.random(3); is not working. Not the way random is supposed to work anyway.

13

you probebly did

random(3);

the first time. That is depricated, but it still works, and will do a random 1 through 3

14

I just used Math.round when I did it because all of those decimals get on my nervesā€¦:slight_smile: I gotā€¦

1
1
1
0
0
1
0
1

You get the point.

15

I Probably did. It was back when I tried AS for the very first time.

16

Thanks for all the help guys! (and gals :wink: )

17

Just a little something:

storage=New array("cookie","box","spoon");
something=storage[Math.floor(Math.random()*storage.length-1)];

would be better if the length of storage changes.

pom :asian:

18

Smart Pomā€¦ always thinking.

19

Itā€™s Pom, who would expect less:)

20

:blushing:

And Lost, Iā€™ve just noticed you have more posts than Upu himself! Now correct me if Iā€™m wrong, Upu, but I donā€™t think this has ever happened to you, has it? Even on the old forums?

pom :stuck_out_tongue: