Thread: Question with rand()

hey guys, im still working on that little turn based game and im trying to add random damage to it. but i think im using rand() wrong.

this is how i am calling it...

i have this function built to take arguements for the random number

Code:

int randomNum(int x,int y)
{
    srand(time(0));
    int random = rand();
    int number = (random % y)+x;
    return number;
}

and then when i call to it i use

Code:

int damage = randomNum(20,40);

in that spot im trying to get a random number between 20-40. but when i run my program i know i am getting a number higher than 40 sometimes...so i must be using rand() wrong. any help would be awesome! Thanks

First, you should only call srand() once, at the beginning of your program, not every time you need a random number. Your actual problem is where you put x and y in that code. Follow the calculations by hand and you will see where you went wrong.

thanks guys, I was looking over the tutorial on this site for it and it gave the example

Code:

random = (rand() % (max - min + 1) + min)

and im getting all that except why we add +1. my math is not so hot, you guys know why thats needed? or is it?

Ah I see whats going on now, Thanks alot!