NAME

random − select lines randomly from a file

SYNOPSIS

/usr/games/random [ −er ] [ divisor ]

DESCRIPTION

random acts as a text filter, randomly selecting lines from its standard input to write to the standard output.  The probability that a given line is selected is normally 1/2; if a divisor is specified, it is treated as a floating-point number, and the probability is 1/divisor instead. 

OPTIONS

−e Don’t read the standard input or write to the standard output.  Instead, exit with a random exit status between 0 and 1, or between 0 and divisor-1 if divisor is specified. 

−r Don’t buffer the output.  If −r is not used, output is buffered in blocks, or line-buffered if the standard output is a terminal. 

Solbourne Computer, Inc.  —  16 February 1988