Syntax:

    #include <cstdlib>
    int rand( void );

The function rand() returns a pseudorandom integer between zero and RAND_MAX. An example:

     srand( time(NULL) );
     for( i = 0; i < 10; i++ )
       printf( "Random number #%d: %d\n", i, rand() );

Note: Do not use % (modulus) to limit the random numbers generated. The randomness is heavily reduced. Instead use this algorithm to generate a proper distribution of random numbers between 0 and another number:

     int randomNumber(int hi)  //the correct random number generator for 0-hi
     {
          int value=((float)rand()/RAND_MAX)*(hi+1);
          if(value>hi)
          {
               value = 0;
          }
          return value;
     }

Related Topics: srand