Random

1

if i wanted to have a function that returned a random number in flash mx, would it generate a new random number each time its called, each time the frame is entered or only once ever?

in php in generates a new random number each time the function is called but that doesnt seem to be happening here.

thanks for any input

2

Well, it all depends on how you’ve set it up exactly.

But if the random number is generated within a function, it will only be generated when the function is called.

3

function headshake() {
A = math.floor(math.random() * 1000)
return A
}

is approximately what i had. is there something wrong with that? it should generate a number everytime it gets that frame (because each time it calls the function again.)

4

a) is the function defined on the main timeline
and
b) when you call it do you call “_root.headShake();”

5

the function is defined in a movie clip in a movie clip, and i call it in the same frame that its defined in (more than once). should i just define it in teh main timeline and see what happens?

6

To make sure you get different number everytime, use time object to generate random number. I used to use it all the time when I code in java. time is good because it’s always changing.

7

Karzchix is 100% right on that. The time object is nice for that.

I would define the function in the _root timeline and then call out to it by a call to _root.headShake();, yes. I’m not sure if that is causing your problem or not… but it’s easier to figure out what’s going wrong if you don’t have a lot of path issues to deal with.

8

how would i use time to do that?

9

I think it goes like this

vA=Math.random()*getTimer()

though I’ve never used it myself. Looks right though.