User Guide

Randomize 803

Randomize

Description

Seeds the pseudo-random number generator with an integer number, ensuring repeatable number

patterns.

Returns

A pseudo-random decimal number, in the range 0–1.

See also

Rand

, RandRange

Parameters

Usage

Call this function before calling Rand to seed the random number generator. Seeding the

generator ensures that the

Rand function always generates the same sequence of pseudo-random

numbers. This behavior is useful if you must reproduce a pattern consistently.

ColdFusion MX 7 uses the Java Cryptography Extension (JCE) and installs a Sun Java 1.4.2

runtime that includes the Sun JCE default security provider. This provider includes the

algorithms listed in the Parameters section (except the default algorithm). The JCE framework

includes facilities for using other provider implementations; however, Macromedia cannot

provide technical support for third-party security providers.

Parameter Description

number Integer number. If the number is not in the range -2,147,483,648

– 2,147,483,647,

ColdFusion generates an error.

algorithm (Optional) The algorithm to use to generate the seed number. ColdFusion MX

installs a cryptography library with the following algorithms:

• CFMX_COMPAT: the algorithm used in ColdFusion MX (default).

• SHA1PRNG: generates a number using the Sun Java SHA1PRNG algorithm.

This algorithm provides greater randomness than the default algorithm.

• IBMSecureRandom: for IBM WebSphere (IBM JVM does not support the

SHA1PRNG algorithm).