Random Numbers

[skimask]

I am trying to make a random numbrt generator that choses 5 numbers between 1 and 8. The problem i am having is that if the first number is 6 then the sequence will always be 61253, and if it is 1 then the sequence is always 12537, and so on for all 1 to 8. Any sugestions would be appreciated.

Random numbers with PBP aren't really random, they're pseudo-random.
If you seed the random number generator with X, you'll always get Y. That's just the way it is. That's what the PBP manual means by 'walking length'. All things being equal, the random number output will repeat itself with the same sequence if you use it exactly the same way every time.
Add some element of real random-ness, and you might get what you want...i.e. start up one of the timers and pre-seed the random value with the timer value when a button is pushed, that's just one example.

[locko]

I place a random statement to the main loop, that way while waiting for a button push you are randomizing in the background.

Paul

[skimask]

I place a random statement to the main loop, that way while waiting for a button push you are randomizing in the background.

Not bad...not a bad idea at all...pseudo-random - pseudo-randomness...

[BobEdge]

Thnx for the replies, as you can see i did have a loop like that right at the beginning of the program

jmp1:
random temp
if sw1 = 1 then goto start
goto jmp1

I first tried using a similar loop between each number fetching routine, but this meant pressing the button 5 times.

In the end i have used 2 pics. The first one uses 5 random vars to pause for random ammounts of micro seconds, and acts as the button press, the second one simply counts up until it sees a button press, then i use //9 to get the number from 0 to 8. checks to see if it is zero or has already been chosen & repeats if so.

In conclusion, the pbp random statement is the least random thing I have ever come across, a mate tells me he had a similar problem with visual basic, so it is not a flaw with PBP. I just wish the lottery used a computer, I might be able to work out the winning numbers.

Thanks for the help guys

[peterdeco1]

Try something like this:
LET X = 0

JMP1:
LET X = (X + 1)
IF X >=9 THEN LET X = 0
IF SW1 = 1 THEN START
GOTO JMP1

YOU WILL GET A RANDOM NUMBER FROM 0 TO 8. IT WILL BE TRULY RANDOM. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE NUMBER TO BE THE SAME WITH A SUBSEQUENT PUSH OF THE SWITCH.

[mackrackit]

Try something like this:
LET X = 0

JMP1:
LET X = (X + 1)
IF X >=9 THEN LET X = 0
IF SW1 = 1 THEN START
GOTO JMP1

YOU WILL GET A RANDOM NUMBER FROM 0 TO 8. IT WILL BE TRULY RANDOM. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE NUMBER TO BE THE SAME WITH A SUBSEQUENT PUSH OF THE SWITCH.

Not sure it can be called truly random. Given a certain amount of time the number will always be the same.

[mackrackit]

http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=57941

[skimask]

What I usually do when I need to use RANDOM, is to seed it with a 16 bit timer value, and then add a few other variables I've got around and always tie grabbing that random number with some sort of human interaction.
If you've got an event that relies on human interaction somehow (i.e. button press) and a tight loop somewhere, there ain't no way you're going to get a continuously repeatable result.
True, RANDOM in PBP isn't all that random, but when you start adding the 'YOU' factor to it, you can get decent results...