Thread: Random number basics

Hi, everyone. I am trying to generate random numbers with the code below, but every time I run it, I get the number 41. What am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance!

Code:

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

int main (void)
{

    int value;

    value = rand();

    printf("%d", value);

    return 0;

}

Thanks!

The rand function should use an LCG and may always produce the same number sequences, hense the need of a seed which is fairly random (time in seconds) to cause the algorithm to produce different sequences for its period.

If you require this for secure uses, or games, or where random numbers are important than the rand function is very unreliable.

Originally Posted by stdq

Hi, everyone. I am trying to generate random numbers with the code below, but every time I run it, I get the number 41. What am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance!

Code:

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

int main (void)
{

    int value;

    value = rand();

    printf("%d", value);

    return 0;

}

But the correct answer to life, love, the universe and everything else is ... 42...

Originally Posted by Alexander.

If you require this for secure uses, or games, or where random numbers are important than the rand function is very unreliable.

Only if you don't know how to use it.