Returns a pseudo-random number. The term “pseudo-random” is used since randomization is done using the POSIX rand and srand functions. While these routines do provide satisfactory randomization for most applications, the numbers generated are not entirely random.

If seed is specified, it is used to start the random number generator. Note that only a single $random stream can be used in the process. If there are multiple $random functions in a select, only the first seed is used. Seed must be a literal.

This function returns an INTEGER datatype.

$RANDOM( numeric_expression [, seed] )

Required. Any expression that returns a numeric expression.

Optional. An integer n is an integer indicating the number of digits to the right of the decimal. The default is 0.

> select $random rnd from $omnidex;

RND
-----------
 1210253353

> select $random(12345) rnd from $omnidex;

RND
-----------
 1255939488

See also:

Returns a pseudo-random number. The term “pseudo-random” is used as randomization is done using the Posix rand and srand functions. While these routines do provide satisfactory randomization for most applications, the numbers generated are not entirely random.

If seed is specified, it is used to start the random number generator. Note that only a single $random stream can be used in the process. If there are multiple $random functions in a select, only the first seed is used. Seed must be a literal. The return value is INTEGER length 4.

$RANDOM[(seed)]

Optional. Seed must be a literal.

$RANDOM(9)

68 6151 …