topic Re: Random # in ksh script in Operating System - HP-UX

Random # in ksh script

Ron Bombard — Tue, 13 Aug 2002 19:17:11 GMT

In KSH, there's a RANDOM parameter set by the shell. I'd like to use a random number in my script, but this parameter picks a number betwee 0 and 32767. I'd like a random number between 0 and 3000. Is there a way to force this RANDOM parameter to use a range? I wrote a little script to accomplish what I want, but it seems a bit klumzy:
======
guessed=3817
upper=3816
while [[ $guessed -ge $upper ]]
do
guessed=$RANDOM
done
echo $guessed
========
Is there a better way?

Thanks.

Re: Random # in ksh script

A. Clay Stephenson — Tue, 13 Aug 2002 19:23:28 GMT

How about this?

guessed=$((${RANDOM} % 3001))

Re: Random # in ksh script

Ron Bombard — Tue, 13 Aug 2002 19:26:26 GMT

Hmmm... your MOJO is wicked cool!
Worked great. Too bad I don't understand HOW... Guess I'll just "chalk it off" as magic.
Thanks!

Re: Random # in ksh script

Tom Maloy — Tue, 13 Aug 2002 19:28:00 GMT

How about the modulo operator?

((num=guessed%3000))

Tom

Re: Random # in ksh script

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Aug 2002 05:25:08 GMT

not that much magic... you see this easily
echo ${RANDOM}
$((echo hello world))

...BTW man sh-posix ...