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rand() and srand() in C/C++
In this article, we will be discussing the working, syntax, and examples of rand() and srand() function in C++ STL.
What is rand()?
rand() function is an inbuilt function in C++ STL, which is defined in <cstdlib> header file. rand() is used to generate a series of random numbers. We use this function when we want to generate a random number in our code.
Like we are making a game of ludo in C++ and we have to generate any random number between 1 and 6 so we can use rand() to generate a random number.
The random number is generated by using an algorithm that gives a series of non-related numbers whenever this function is called.
Like we want to generate a random number between 1-6 then we use this function like −
Num = rand() % 6 + 1;
Syntax
int rand();
Parameters
The function accepts no parameter(s) −
Return value
This function returns an integer value between 0 to RAND_MAX.
Input
rand() % 100 +1;
Output
57
Example
rand()
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h&g;
int main(void){
printf("Randomly generated numbers are: ");
for(int i = 0; i<5; i++)
printf(" %d ", rand());
return 0;
}Output
If we run this code for the FIRST time output will be −
Randomly generated numbers are: 1804289383 846930886 1681692777 1714636915 1957747793
If we run this code for the Nth time output will be −
Randomly generated numbers are: 1804289383 846930886 1681692777 1714636915 1957747793
What is srand()?
srand() function is an inbuilt function in C++ STL, which is defined in <cstdlib> header file. srand() is used to initialise random number generators. This function gives a starting point for producing the pseudo-random integer series. The argument is passed as a seed for generating a pseudo-random number. Whenever a different seed value is used in srand the pseudo number generator can be expected to generate different series of results the same as rand().
Syntax
int srand(unsigned int seed);
Parameters
The function accepts the following parameter(s) −
seed − This is an integer that is used as seed by pseudo-random number generator.
Return value
This function returns a pseudo generated random number.
Input
srand(time(0)); rand();
Output
1804289383
Example
srand()
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include<time.h>
int main(void){
srand(time(0));
printf("Randomly generated numbers are: ");
for(int i = 0; i<5; i++)
printf(" %d ", rand());
return 0;
}Output
If we run this code for the FIRST time output will be −
Randomly generated numbers are: 382366186 1045528146 1291469435 515349891 931606430
If we run this code for the SECOND time output will be −
Randomly generated numbers are: 1410939666 214525217 875042802 1560673843 782892338
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