Re:re: Random Number generator

[John Carr <74711.77@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

RE:     Re:re: Random Number generator

>How random do you need to be?
>snip
>I have to admit that I was surprised there is no opcode or keyword for an
>rng though...
>Thank you for your offer.
>Booth Martin     

Booth 
I think the point Jon Paris was making with his example(attached below) is
that by using our own procedures we can create OUR OWN opcodes. 
If you want a RNG opcode, create the below procdure and call it RNG and
then you can use it as a function with your EVAL statement. 

Instead of Toronto giving us new opcodes,  If a C function(or API) exists
that does the requested function,  Toronto will say "Create your own 
procedure to do that"  
For example, I wanted the ability to READ IFS files (with a F-spec extension
of PATH(MYDIR\MIFILE))  IBM said "Just create a procedure to call the 
API your self.  (which I then did)


John Carr
EdgeTech

      * Protos for C Random number functions

     D GetRandom       PR            10U 0 ExtProc('rand')
     D SetRandom       PR                  ExtProc('srand')
     D   Seed                        10U 0 Value

      * To seed the random number generator to start a new sequence use
      * the SetRandom function.
      * Initial seed could be formed by (say) adding job number to the date

     C                   CallP     SetRandom(JobNumber + Today)

      * To obtain the next random number in the sequence use GetRandom

     C                   Eval      NextNumber = GetRandom

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