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diff --git a/docs/source/lang/api/randomseed.rst b/docs/source/lang/api/randomseed.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d0a15b7 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/source/lang/api/randomseed.rst @@ -0,0 +1,60 @@ +.. highlight:: cpp + +.. _lang-randomseed: + +randomSeed() +============ + +``randomSeed()`` initializes the `pseudorandom number generator +<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudorandom_number_generator>`_, +causing it to start at an arbitrary point in its random sequence. +This sequence, while very long, and random, is always the same. + + +Library Documentation +--------------------- + +.. doxygenfunction:: randomSeed + +Discussion +---------- + +If it is important for a sequence of values generated by +:ref:`random() <lang-random>` to differ, on subsequent executions of a +sketch, use ``randomSeed()`` to initialize the random number generator +with a fairly random input, such as :ref:`analogRead() +<lang-analogread>` on an unconnected pin. + +Conversely, it can occasionally be useful to use pseudorandom +sequences that repeat exactly. This can be accomplished by calling +``randomSeed()`` with a fixed number, before starting the random +sequence. + +Example +------- + +The following sketch initializes the random seed based on an :ref:`ADC +<adc>` reading of pin 0. If this pin is unconnected, the Sketch +should print different values to the :ref:`serial monitor +<ide-serial-monitor>` each time it is run:: + + long randNumber; + + void setup() { + pinMode(0, INPUT_ANALOG); + randomSeed(analogRead(0)); + } + + void loop() { + randNumber = random(300); + SerialUSB.println(randNumber); + + delay(50); + } + +See Also +-------- + +- :ref:`random() <lang-random>` + +.. include:: cc-attribution.txt |