Thread: A Function that returns a different value each call.

I am trying to get a funtion to return 5 random numbers. Here is my code:

Code:

#include <iostream>
#include <ctime>      // for srand and rand()

int randGenerator (  void );    // function prototype

int main()
{
int randNum, x,y;

for (x = 0; x <= 5; ++x)
{
randNum = randGenerator();
std::cout <<randNum <<std::endl;
}

return 0;     // Successful termination
}               // End main 

int randGenerator( void )              // Fucntion definition
{
int num;

srand (time(0));

num = 1 + rand()  % 13;

return num;
}

I don't understand why I keep getting the same number returned each time. I call the function 5 times and it just outputs the same number all 5 times. I tried making num a static vairable but it didn't help. I am not sure if I fully understand how function calls work. What I think is happening is the first time I call the function its sets the return value.....which is what it will be when its called again.

How do I make it output a random number each time I call the function?

Code:

  srand (time(0));

that is your problem right there, you keep seeding the randomizer with the same seed every time you call the function.

Place that code at the top of main instead of inside of the randomizer function. You should only need to seed the randomizer once in any program (unless you need to seed it for some other reason, like encryption/decryption purposes)

Ok thanks that solved my problem.