random_int()#

Generates random integers.

Examples#

def setup():
    words = ["apple", "bear", "cat", "dog"]
    index = py5.random_int(len(words)-1)
    py5.println(words[index])  # Prints one of the four words

Description#

Generates random integers. Each time the random_int() function is called, it returns an unexpected integer within the specified range. This function’s randomness can be influenced by random_seed().

If no parameters are passed to the function, it will return either 0 or 1. Recall that in a Python boolean expression, 0 evaluates to False and 1 evaluates to True. This is equivalent to a coin toss.

If only one parameter is passed to the function, it will return an integer between zero and the value of the high parameter, inclusive. For example, random(5) returns one of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.

If two parameters are specified, the function will return an integer with a value between the two values, inclusive. For example, random(2, 5) returns one of 2, 3, 4, or 5.

If you want to pick a random object from a list, recall that Python uses zero-indexing, so the first index value is 0 and the final index value is one less than the list length. Therefore, to pick a random index to use in the list words, your code should be random_int(len(words)-1). Omitting the -1 will (occasionally) result in an index out of range error. Alternatively, you can also use random_choice() to pick a random object from a list.

This function makes calls to numpy to generate the random integers.

Signatures#

random_int() -> int

random_int(
    high: int,  # upper limit
    /,
) -> int

random_int(
    low: int,  # lower limit
    high: int,  # upper limit
    /,
) -> int

Updated on March 06, 2023 02:49:26am UTC