The term random refers to any collection of data or information with no determined order, or is chosen in a way that is unknown beforehand. For example, 5, 8, 2, 9, and 0 are single-digit numbers listed in random order. Random data may be re-ordered, or sorted, by date, name, time, age, etc., in which case its order is no longer random.
Data can be randomly selected, or random numbers can be generated using a random seed. Computer games, web pages, programs, and encryption are a few examples of things that need random values to operate. For example, Computer Hope has a tool that randomly selects and opens a random dictionary page for Computer Hope users.
Example of a random number
Below is an example of a random number generated from a custom seed. Enter any text into the custom seed box and click the generate button. This widget uses Johannes Baagøe’s open source PRNG scripts, Alea.js and Mash.js.
- Example of a random number.
- Random number in programming.
- Random number in Microsoft Excel.
- Related information.
Generate! number generated from seed :
Input a custom seed (a number or phrase):
Reset seed offset (currently 0)
Random number in programming
In programming languages, there is often a command, function, or random number generator (rng) that allows the developer to generate a pseudorandom number. For example, in Perl, the rand function returns a random number between 0 and a number you specify.
my $random = int(rand(10) + 1); print “Random number between 1 and 10: $random\n”;
Here, the variable random is assigned a random integer value between zero and ten, rounded down, plus one. The result is a whole number between 1 and 10.
Random number in Microsoft Excel
You can create a random number in excel using the rand or randbetween function. See our Excel formula page for help with these functions and examples.
- Help, examples, and information on Excel formulas.
Ascending order, Prime number, Programming terms, Random seed, Shuffle
Related information
- Use our online Text Tool to sort alphabetically or numerically.
- Visit a random entry in our computer glossary.
- JavaScript random quotes script.
- JavaScript random picture and link.
- Quickly generate text in Microsoft Word.