srand
Sets a random starting point.
voidsrand(unsignedintseed**);**
Routine | Required Header | Compatibility |
srand | <stdlib.h> | ANSI, Win 95, Win NT |
For additional compatibility information, see Compatibility in the Introduction.
Libraries
LIBC.LIB | Single thread static library, retail version |
LIBCMT.LIB | Multithread static library, retail version |
MSVCRT.LIB | Import library for MSVCRT.DLL, retail version |
Return Value
None
Parameter
seed
Seed for random-number generation
Remarks
The srand function sets the starting point for generating a series of pseudorandom integers. To reinitialize the generator, use 1 as the seed argument. Any other value for seed sets the generator to a random starting point. rand retrieves the pseudorandom numbers that are generated. Calling rand before any call to srand generates the same sequence as calling srand with seed passed as 1.
Example
/* RAND.C: This program seeds the random-number generator
* with the time, then displays 10 random integers.
*/
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <time.h>
void main( void )
{
int i;
/* Seed the random-number generator with current time so that
* the numbers will be different every time we run.
*/
srand( (unsigned)time( NULL ) );
/* Display 10 numbers. */
for( i = 0; i < 10;i++ )
printf( " %6d\n", rand() );
}
Output
6929
8026
21987
30734
20587
6699
22034
25051
7988
10104
Floating-Point Support Routine
See Also rand