[RBASE-L] - Re: Random has order ?

[mjsmd]

I use the digits from system variables #date and #time after setting the time output format to HH:MM:SS.SS.  Having the time expressed in 1/100th second increments seemed to generate a different set of numbers. I then used the digits that I obtained from the system variables to generate my random numbers by applying functions to those digits such as square root and division. By extracting the least significant digits (the digits on the right side of the result), I had what appeared to be a truly random result.

Mike 

 

-------------- Original message from Frank Taylor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: --------------

I created a password generator the other day using the Random command as such

 

      SET VAR gen1 = (RANDOM(33))

      IF gen1 BETWEEN 1 AND 24 THEN

            SET VAR gen2 = (RANDOM(2))

      ENDIF

 

The code loops 8 times and uses the values of gen1 and gen2 with a case statement to make an 8 character password. The first random generated gives me either a letter or number and the second random generator gives me upper or lower case if it is to be a letter (I do not use L,O or Zero in case you are wondering)

 

I used the code to generate 7 passwords yesterday, then today I used the code to generate 8 more passwords.. When I went back to look at them, the first 7 passwords I created today, were the exact same and in the same order as the Seven I created yesterday.  I went out of RBase and came back in and sure enough it started over..  So can I assume that Random is not really random but has order ?  Anyone have a suggestion as a work around, maybe using a system variable in the mix ?

 

Using RB7.6  ver 7.6.3.30321

 

n  Frank

 

Frank Taylor - Information Systems Administrator

F.J. O'Hara & Sons, Inc - Araho Transfer Inc.

Boston, MA - Rockland, ME - Miami, FL

Direct Dial - 617-790-3093

email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]