"math.random()" isn't all that random.

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Kingdaro
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Joined: Sun Jul 18, 2010 3:08 am

"math.random()" isn't all that random.

Post by Kingdaro »

Every time I open my game, a function that should be generating RANDOM numbers is generating the same combination of numbers EVERY TIME. Here's the code to my randomizing function that randomizes the list:

Code: Select all

function tRandom(t)
	local values = {}
	for i=1, #t do
		local n = #values+1
		table.insert(values,math.random(n),t[i])
	end
	return values
end

town = tRandom({1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8})
I'm not sure if it's just my problem, but this is going to be a major snag in my game development, and I need it fixed. Is there any solution?
Attachments
scrolling_random_test.love
This is the .love file with the script in it. The code to the top-left is the number that's always generated.
(21.66 KiB) Downloaded 74 times
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TechnoCat
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Re: "math.random()" isn't all that random.

Post by TechnoCat »

You should be setting a random seed before you generate random numbers.
People usually choose the current time at the start of execution.
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leiradel
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Re: "math.random()" isn't all that random.

Post by leiradel »

TechnoCat wrote:You should be setting a random seed before you generate random numbers.

Code: Select all

math.randomseed( os.time() )
Also, math.random uses libc's rand which isn't very good on some system though for many games it will do well.
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zac352
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Re: "math.random()" isn't all that random.

Post by zac352 »

Code: Select all

static int lua_random (lua_State* L) {
    int l=lua_tointeger(L,1);
    int h=lua_tointeger(L,2);
    int r=rand(); //standard C rand function. Comes with math library
    if (r!=NULL && h!=NULL)
        lua_pushnumber(L,(lua_Number)l+floor(h*r)); // floor is also a C function in math.h, I think
    else
        lua_pushnumber(L,(lua_Number) r);
    return 1;
}
Hello, I am not dead.
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Kingdaro
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Re: "math.random()" isn't all that random.

Post by Kingdaro »

leiradel wrote:
TechnoCat wrote:You should be setting a random seed before you generate random numbers.

Code: Select all

math.randomseed( os.time() )
Also, math.random uses libc's rand which isn't very good on some system though for many games it will do well.
Problem solved. Thanks ^^
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