random()

[Random Numbers]

Description

The random function generates pseudo-random numbers.

Syntax

random(max)
random(min, max)

Parameters

min – lower bound of the random value, inclusive (optional)
max – upper bound of the random value, exclusive

Returns

a random number between min and max-1 (long)

Note

If it is important for a sequence of values generated by random() to differ, on subsequent executions of a sketch, use randomSeed() to initialize the random number generator with a fairly random input, such as analogRead() on an unconnected pin.

Conversely, it can occasionally be useful to use pseudo-random sequences that repeat exactly. This can be accomplished by calling randomSeed() with a fixed number, before starting the random sequence.

Example Code

long randNumber;
 
void setup(){
  Serial.begin(9600);
 
  // if analog input pin 0 is unconnected, random analog
  // noise will cause the call to randomSeed() to generate
  // different seed numbers each time the sketch runs.
  // randomSeed() will then shuffle the random function.
  randomSeed(analogRead(0));
}
 
void loop() {
  // print a random number from 0 to 299
  randNumber = random(300);
  Serial.println(randNumber);  
 
  // print a random number from 10 to 19
  randNumber = random(10, 20);
  Serial.println(randNumber);
 
  delay(50);
}

See also

• [Language] randomSeed()

Language Reference Home

The text of the 86Duino reference is a modification of the Arduino reference and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. Code samples in the reference are released into the public domain.