FAQ 4d
Updated: 1/10/00

>>>>>> How Do I make random numbers?
====================================

Create an instance of the Random() class, then use the nextInt() function to get numbers.
You will need to seed the Random object (give it a relatively random number to get
started), otherwise your sequence of random numberswill repeat.

Here is an example that draws 20 random numbers, using a class the extends the Random() class:

// 'RandApplet' code file
import java.applet.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.util.*;

class RandApplet extends Applet {

	MyRandom randMaker;

	RandApplet(){
		randMaker = new MyRandom();
	}

	public void paint(g){
	int value;

		for (int ix=0;ix<20;ix++) {
			value = randMaker.rand(100);	// a number from 0-99
			g.drawString("val "+ix+" = "+value,10,12*ix);
		}
	}
}

class MyRandom extends Random {
	
	MyRandom(){
		super(System.currentTimeMillis());	// seed the number generator
	}

	int rand(int value){		// returns a number from 0 to (value-1)
	int number = nextInt();

		if (number<0) number = -number;
		return number % value;
	}

	int dice6(){		// returns a six-sided die roll
		return rand(6)+1;
	}
	int dice20(){		// returns a twenty sided die roll
		return rand(20)+1;
	}
	int dice3x6(){		// returns the result of 3 six sided dice
		return dice6() + dice6 + dice6();
	}
}