Random number draw

[greggiles]

PHP Code:

//#CLIENTSIDE
function onCreated() {
 this.number = //5 or 10
} 


How do I make the client randomly pick from two numbers. In this case, I need it to pick either 5 or 10, but be random.

[scriptless]

PHP Code:

//#CLIENTSIDE 
function onCreated() { 
 this.number = int(random(1,2.9))*5;//5 or 10
} 


I used 2.9 because it generates a decimal number, so the occurance of 2 would be less if it was just 2.0

[greggiles]

PHP Code:
//#CLIENTSIDE
function onCreated() {
this.number = int(random(1,2.9))*5;//5 or 10
}
I used 2.9 because it generates a decimal number, so the occurance of 2 would be less if it was just 2.0

So if I were to be doing 1 or 3, itd be..

PHP Code:

this.number = int(random(1,3)); 


Just tried what I wrote above..It draws 2.
I'm not too familiar with random integer scripts but of what I know that's not right because the only number between 1 and 3 is 2.
I need it to only pick from 1 or 3.

[Starfire2001]

Originally Posted by greggiles

So if I were to be doing 1 or 3, itd be..

PHP Code:

this.number = int(random(1,3); 


No.

random(1,3) gives you a random number between 1 and 3 (though never the high number, in this case 3.) So for example, random(1,3) might give you 2.5, or 1.72, etc.

int() then rounds the number down to the nearest integer. (so 2.5 becomes 2, 1.99 becomes 1.)

So

PHP Code:

this.number = int(random(1,3)); 


Would randomly select either 1 or 2.

[scriptless]

Originally Posted by Starfire2001

No.

random(1,3) gives you a random number between 1 and 3 (though never the high number, in this case 3.) So for example, random(1,3) might give you 2.5, or 1.72, etc.

int() then rounds the number down to the nearest integer. (so 2.5 becomes 2, 1.99 becomes 1.)

So

PHP Code:

this.number = int(random(1,3)); 


Would randomly select either 1 or 2.

Ah I didn't remember if it did show the higher number. I was being safe.. also he said 1 or 3.. not 1 to 3.. ? so

PHP Code:

this.number = 1 + int(random(0,2))*2; 


Would do 1.. plus it resulted in 1.. it added 1*2.. so it was either 1 or 3.

[Starfire2001]

Originally Posted by scriptless

I was being safe.. also he said 1 or 3.. not 1 to 3.. ?

Indeed, was just explaining what random() and int() were actually doing.

[callimuc]

heres my input :P

PHP Code:

//all numbers which can be chosen; also strings possible
temp.number_possible = {3, 5, 8, 10, 4};

//check ph8's post for the int() and random() description
temp.number_display = temp.number_possible[ int(random(0, temp.number_possible.size())) ];

player.chat = temp.number_display; 


[cbk1994]

Those are some of the most weirdly complicated ways of doing this I've seen.

PHP Code:

function pickRandomNumber() {
  if (random(0, 1) < 0.5) {
    return 5;
  } else {
    return 10;
  }
} 


Usually the simplest solution is best. Code readability > tricky math. It's a lot easier to look at mine and see what it does than it is to stop and mentally parse out int(random(1,2.9))*5.

[BlueMelon]

PHP Code:

temp.number = (random(0, 1) < 0.5 ? 5:10); 


Edit:
For more information on the ternary operator.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ternary_operator

[DustyPorViva]

Originally Posted by BlueMelon

PHP Code:

temp.number = (random(0, 1) < 0.5 ? 5:10); 


I was going to post about ternary, but Chris obviously knows what it is and I think such a thing is lost on the level that Greggiles is scripting at. But if you're going to post it in the attempt of helping then you should explain what it is and why it's useful.

[scriptless]

Originally Posted by cbk1994

Those are some of the most weirdly complicated ways of doing this I've seen.

PHP Code:

function pickRandomNumber() {
  if (random(0, 1) < 0.5) {
    return 5;
  } else {
    return 10;
  }
} 


Usually the simplest solution is best. Code readability > tricky math. It's a lot easier to look at mine and see what it does than it is to stop and mentally parse out int(random(1,2.9))*5.

Bah, this is elementry level math. Nothing tricky about it.. Had it been more complicated, yes I would have done like chris showed however I prefer doing it as BlueMelon showed at that point. It was just kinda the first thing that poped into my head to help, without adding a bunch of lines to his script.

[BlueMelon]

@scriptless,

Its all about readability and efficiency.

[Crow]

Originally Posted by BlueMelon

@scriptless,

Its all about readability and efficiency.

And consistency. With a random float between 1 and 2.9, you have a higher chance to get a 1 out of it. That's not what you want.

[greggiles]

I was going to post about ternary, but Chris obviously knows what it is and I think such a thing is lost on the level that Greggiles is scripting at. But if you're going to post it in the attempt of helping then you should explain what it is and why it's useful.

I figured it out! And sorry, I'm really trying to learn.

[scriptless]

Originally Posted by BlueMelon

@scriptless,

Its all about readability and efficiency.

Then cbk's is more easily readable. However, I still prefer doing it the way you posted.