srand

Sets a random starting point.

voidsrand(unsignedintseed**);**

For additional compatibility information, see Compatibility in the Introduction.

Libraries

Return Value

None

Parameter

seed

Seed for random-number generation

Remarks

The srand function sets the starting point for generating a series of pseudorandom integers. To reinitialize the generator, use 1 as the seed argument. Any other value for seed sets the generator to a random starting point. rand retrieves the pseudorandom numbers that are generated. Calling rand before any call to srand generates the same sequence as calling srand with seed passed as 1.

Example

/* RAND.C: This program seeds the random-number generator
 * with the time, then displays 10 random integers.
 */

#include <stdlib.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <time.h>

void main( void )
{
   int i;

   /* Seed the random-number generator with current time so that
    * the numbers will be different every time we run.
    */
   srand( (unsigned)time( NULL ) );

   /* Display 10 numbers. */
   for( i = 0;   i < 10;i++ )
      printf( "  %6d\n", rand() );
}

Output

    6929
    8026
   21987
   30734
   20587
    6699
   22034
   25051
    7988
   10104

Floating-Point Support Routine

See Also   rand