random(1)      UNIX System V(Application Compatibility Package)       random(1)


NAME
      random - generate a random number

SYNOPSIS
      random [-s] [scale]

DESCRIPTION
      random generates a random number on the standard output, and returns the
      number as its exit value.  By default, this number is either 0 or 1.  If
      scale is given a value between 1 and 255, then the range of the random
      value is from 0 to scale.  If scale is greater than 255, an error message
      is printed.

      When the -s (silent) option is given, then the random number is returned
      as an exit value, but is not printed on the standard output.  If an error
      occurs, random returns an exit value of zero.

SEE ALSO
      rand(3C)

NOTES
      This command does not perform any floating point computations.  random
      uses the time of day as a seed.































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