RANDOM function

Returns a random INTEGER value between two integers (inclusive).

Note: This function returns a number from a pseudorandom sequence of numbers rather than a truly random sequence.

The Alternate Random Number Generator (-rand) parameter determines whether the same sequence of random numbers is generated for each session. For information on this parameter, see OpenEdge Deployment: Startup Command and Parameter Reference.

Syntax

RANDOM ( low , high )

low: An integer expression that is the lower of the two expressions you are supplying to the RANDOM function.
high: An integer expression that is the higher of the two expressions you are supplying to the RANDOM function.

Example

Often when you set up a database for testing purposes, you want to generate many records without actually keying in data for each record. The r-random.p procedure generates 10 Order records and a random number of OrderLines for each Order record.

r-random.p

DEFINE VARIABLE onum  AS INTEGER NO-UNDO.
DEFINE VARIABLE olnum AS INTEGER NO-UNDO.

DO onum = 1 TO 10 TRANSACTION:
  CREATE Order.
  ASSIGN
    Order.OrderNum  = onum
    Order.OrderDate = TODAY.

  DO olnum = 1 TO RANDOM(1,9):
    CREATE OrderLine.
    ASSIGN
      OrderLine.LineNum = olnum
      OrderLine.ItemNum = olnum.
  END.
END.