Generate random Number without repetition.... Need advice and some help..

Hi, I am writing a program to generate 6 random numbers from 1 to 40 inclusive.

So far, I have been using the code below..

However, the only problem is that from time to time, I'm getting repeating numbers.

Is there any way to solve this issue???

Here's the code:

Code:

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# define M 6

int main()
{
    int j;
    int m_num[j];
    time_t seconds;
   
    int lower=1;
    int upper=40;
   
    time(&seconds);
   
    srand((unsigned int)seconds);
   
    for(j=0; j<M; j++)
    {
        m_num[j]=rand()%(upper-lower+1)+1; 
    }
   
    printf("Generated numbers are:");
   
    for(j=0; j<M; j++)
    {
      printf(" \n %d \n", m_num[j]);
    }
   
    system("PAUSE");
    return 0;
}

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note: i'm using Dev c++, and also Visual Studio sometimes..

Code:

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int j;
int m_num[j];

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This is problematic, because j has no known value at the time you use it to initialize m_num. Perhaps you meant M?

The easiest way to achieve what you want is probably to create an array with the values 1–40, shuffle that array, then pick off the first six values. Search for Fisher-Yates to see how to effectively shuffle an array.

Even Dev-C++ should return a warning about using an uninitialized variable. For all we know, j could be a negative number randomly pulled out of memory. The reason that you will get repeating numbers is because random number generation is not truly random. Using the Fisher-Yates algorithm mentioned above would help you achieve a more random effect. Fisher-Yates Shuffle Alg.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rodaxoleaux

The reason that you will get repeating numbers is because random number generation is not truly random.

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Not really: a "truly" random number generator would also be expected to produce repeating numbers, from time to time. It is merely a matter of "selecting at random with replacement" versus "selecting at random without replacement". The shuffle algorithm you suggested basically repeatedly selects at random without replacement, until an element has been selected for each position in the array.

Ok, I somehow managed to get another method to work..

But when generating the random numbers... 0 also is being output... and I don't want this! I just want 1-40 inclusive..

Below is the code: Any help is greatly appreciated

Code:

---


# define N 40


int main() {
    int ran_num[N]; 
   
    srand(time(0)); 
   
    for (int i=0; i<40; i++)
    {
        ran_num[i] = i; 
    }
   
   
        for (int i=0; i<(40-1); i++)
       
        {
            int r = i + (rand() % (40-i));
            int temp = ran_num[i];
            ran_num[i] = ran_num[r];
            ran_num[r] = temp;
        }
       
        for (int c=0; c<6; c++)
        {
            printf(" %d ", ran_num[c]); 
        }
       
        printf("\n");
 
  system("PAUSE");
  return 0;
}

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by pprav05

Ok, I somehow managed to get another method to work..

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It looks like it is the same method: shuffle the array.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pprav05

0 also is being output... and I don't want this! I just want 1-40 inclusive..

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Given the range [0, 39], add 1 to get [1, 40]. In your case, it means starting the initial values of the array at 1, not 0.

Many thanks.. It solved the problem..

Why would you shuffle the array, when you could simply scan it?

Code:

---

int array[40];
int i = 0;
int j;

while( i < 40 )
  { array[i] = (rand() % 40) + 1;
    for (j = 0; j < i; j++)
      if (array[j] == array[i])
        break;
    if ( ! (j < i) )
      i++; }

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by CommonTater

Why would you shuffle the array, when you could simply scan it?

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Yeah, since the number of numbers that you are selecting at random without replacement is small compared to the range of numbers, rejecting repetition is a good solution. When the number of numbers you are selecting at random without replacement is large compared to the range of numbers, shuffling tends to be a better solution than rejecting repetition. Note that using rejection saves space: you only need an array of 6 ints, not 40 ints.

Quote:

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[...] rejecting repetition is a good solution.

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The reason I suggested shuffling an array is that rejecting repetition has the possibility of infinitely looping. If the PRNG gets in a loop of generating numbers, none of which satisfies the necessary condition, then you've got a problem.

Of course, this is rather unlikely, but PRNGs have historically been one of the weak areas of implementation so I'd err on the side of caution. This is also one of those problems that might always work on one system no matter how much you stress test it, but could fail elsewhere.