[Resolved] [Resolved] [Resolved] [Resolved] [Resolved] [Resolved] [Resolved] [Resolved] [Resolved] [

[Hythian]

Does anyone use math.random() ( the "preferred" random function in Flash 5 according to the documentation at least ) instead of the older random()?

It would be relatively easy to write a wrapper around math.random() to retain the identical functionality of the older random() ( namely being able to set a range since it just returons 0.0 to 1.0 ) but I am wondering if it is worthwhile or if the wrapper around math.random() will be slower and thereby less useful then just using the deprecated random(). Has anyone tried this yet?

Thanks.

-Hythian

[HowardTheDuck]

hm... I haven't yet. But your idea sounds interesting. I might have look at this tomorrow...
I think a wrapper that enables you set a range for the random values will be slower than the normal "old" random function. But i don't know why you consider speed problems with this function? Random numbers aren't needed very often, i think... so calling this function once or twice in a movie wouldn't slow down the playback.

Yours
HTD

[Hythian]

I want to use it to randomize the elements in an array, and the only way I can think of offhand to do that is this.

function randomArray (inputArray) {
newArray = new Array();

arrayLen = inputArray.length;
for (i = 0; i < arrayLen; i++) {
rndNumber = random(inputArray.length);
tempArray = inputArray.slice(rndNumber, rndNumber+1);
newArray = newArray.concat(tempArray);
}
return newArray;
}

Given that it has to walk the length of the entire array in the loop, if Math.Random is faster, even with a wrapper to give me a number in the range I need, then I most definately want to be using it. There may be a more efficient way overall to do this, but none have yet came to mind.

-Hythian

[phil'ter design]

I have played with the Math.random() method a little bit, and have switched to that over the random() function. Why...I don't know. I guess because it was newer.

In a couple of experiments i've used it in, it didn't seem to really make a difference. However, I also have not really pushed it very hard either.

Just my 2 cents.

[Hythian]

My bad, I need to fix that code example anyways as I hadn't realized at the time I quickly typed it out that array.slice() didn't remove the section slice'd from the original array so you would get the same values repeatedly, especially using the old random function which is rather non-random ( just trying it, three out of 5 times it returned the same value from a list of 36 choices three times in a row, which is bad since slice doesn't modify the original array ).

-Hythian

[Dickee]

Hey Hythian!

The new Math.random will no doubt result in a slower clock, due to more complex compiling, but the best reason for it's use is ... it will be around for use in subsequent versions of Flash!

Here's an example for you, with a random-exclusive result:

function randomArray (inputArray) {
    newArray = new Array();
    arrayLen = inputArray.length;
    for (i=0;i<arrayLen;i++) {
        rndNumber = Math.floor(Math.random()*inputArray.length);
        tempArray = inputArray.splice(rndNumber,1);
        newArray.push(tempArray);
    }
    return newArray;
}
inputArray = [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20];
randomArray(inputArray);
trace (newArray);

Hey HowardTheDuck!

hehe ... Cool footer, but I'm afraid it's incorrect:

x = 25;
y = parseInt(x,8); // returns 21
z = parseInt(x,13); // returns 31
trace ("y: "+y+" ... z: "+z);

Richard
[Edited by Dickee on 05-08-2001 at 09:36 PM]

[LuxFX]

Here's another variation. Anyone up for some speed runs? I wouldn't mind knowing which is faster.

function randomArray(arrayInput)
{
	var temp = new Array();
	var len = arrayInput.length;
	for (z=0;z<len;z++)
	{
		var rndNum = Math.floor(Math.random()*arrayInput.length);
		temp.push(arrayInput[rndNum]);
		arrayInput[rndNum] = arrayInput[arrayInput.length-1];
		arrayInput.pop();
	}
	return temp;
}

myArray = new Array(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0);
newArray = randomArray(myArray);
trace(newArray);

This version uses pop() instead of splice(). I don't know which might be faster.

cheers!

[joefouts]

Actually you are both wrong

31 OCT = 25
25 DEC = 31

thats why!

a = 31;
b = 25;
y = parseInt(a,8); // returns 25
z = parseInt(b,13); // returns 31
trace ("y: "+y+" ... z: "+z);

[LuxFX]

I don't think the Duck was wrong. 31 is the base-8 representation of what 25 represents in base-10.

[joefouts]

oh I never did understand all that octabinahexadecimal stuff

[LuxFX]

don't worry, joe, you were half there.

all in all, it's a fine joke. anyone else up for another horrible math joke? don't feel bad if you don't get it, this goes way back to the days I was taking math class, and probably only makes sense if you're currently studying limits.

Why do girls think mathematicians make poor lovers?
Because mathematicians think there is a limit of X to c
(say it outloud)

if you get it, if you don't....

[HowardTheDuck]

Well it's nice that you've helped with the random stuff...

But now on to my footer-Joke... it is definitely correct. I know that only geeks like me can lough about it, but hey - thats the reason why i use it

To LuxFX...
Yours is cool too... say it loud and say it fast, hehe
We should start a new thread with stupid programmers jokes, shouldn't we?

what about this one:

Have you heard about the object-orieented way to become wealthy?
No !?
Inheritance!

Yours
HTD

[pittler]

your all wrong!!!
1 + 1 = 5, thats the solution :biggrin:

I don't know, what the point!

31 int the octal system
= 3x8^1 + 1x8^0
= 3x8 + 1x1
= 24 + 1
= 25 (in the decimal system)

you math cracks

[Fleep2010]

you guys are all over my head - but you brought up something I wanted to ask is there a way to set a min on a random script - currently I write in frame 1 x=random(10); then in frmae 2 an if statement that states if x<5 go to frame one else do something.

How else could I write random (5-10);

thanks
fleep

[pittler]

hä?!
if you want just random numbers from 5 to 10 you simple write:

x = 5 + random(5)+1

(remember:with random(5) you get numbers from 0 to 4, therfor you have to add 1, okidoke?)
So this term gives you numbers between 5 and 10(mathematic:[5;10])

-------------

Originally posted by Fleep2010
you guys are all over my head - but you brought up something I wanted to ask is there a way to set a min on a random script - currently I write in frame 1 x=random(10); then in frmae 2 an if statement that states if x<5 go to frame one else do something.

How else could I write random (5-10);

thanks
fleep

[Fleep2010]

thanks a million- I knew I was doing it the hard way!!!!

[Fleep2010]

One more question if you have a sec- now is there an esy way to do a random of 5 things without an array- or should I go do some homework on arrays? Thanks again

fleep

[pittler]

more infos, pleaaaaaaze

[Fleep2010]

Ok say I want something to pick a random (5, 8, 3, 6) or a random (blue, green, purple, red) where these are the only choices it can select from. and then according to what it picks it will produce an action - can you easily say random (5,8,3,6); or random("blue", "green", "purple", "red"); without the use of arrays- I am still trying to understand arrays - there is no real purpose ni mind right now- I just thought that this message had such advanced random scripters that I would throw it out there. Thanks for yout time.
fleep

[pittler]

simplest way is doing it with an array.
so you can do...

myArray = new Array(5,8,3,6);

...then...

x = random(4); //(numbers from 0-3)

...then...

choice = myArray[x]; //if x=2 you get choice=3

...hope it helps