Short: Output a random number for use in scripts, etc. Author: krf101@york.ac.uk (Kevin Fairhurst) Uploader: krf101 york ac uk (Kevin Fairhurst) Type: util/batch Architecture: m68k-amigaos Usage: The correct usage of 'Random' is to pass it a single argument. This value is the maximum number you want considered i.e. that a random number will be picked between 1 and this number. For 'Random' to work correctly, the number MUST be between 1 and 65536. Numbers outside this range (or failure to pass numbers, eg passing a string of letters) will cause 'Random' to behave as outlined in the examples that follow: 1> Random outputs a number between 1 and 65536 2> Random 0 same as example 1 3> Random a (where 'a' is a positive integer between 1 and 65536 inclusive) outputs a number between 1 and a 4> Random b (where 'b' is a positive integer greater than 65536) outputs the number 1 5> Random c (where 'c' is any negative integer) outputs c + 1 6> Random text same as example 1 7> Random 123 456 789 outputs a number between 1 and the first argument (in this case 123) 8> Random "more text" same as example 1 9> Random "123 456 789" same as example 1 What you do once you have your random number is up to you. One idea is if you want random backdrops. Say you have 5 different backdrop settings that you wish to choose from at every boot. Save them to prefs/presets with different filenames (WBPattern_1.prefs, etc. would be a good start). Then edit 5 scripts in your S: drawer, named 1.bat to 5.bat. Script 1.bat copies WBPattern_1.prefs to env:sys/WBPattern.prefs, and I hope I don't have to tell you what 2.bat - 5.bat do ... AFTER everything has been copied from ENVARC:SYS to ENV:SYS in your startup-sequence, but before IPrefs is called, add the following lines: Random 5 >ENV:WBP Run <>NIL: Execute S:$WBP.bat (For those who don't know, using <>NIL: is the same as using NIL:) As long as you have 'Random' in your path somewhere, along with Run and Execute, every time you boot your backdrop settings will be chosen randomly! Other ideas are to incorperate the RequestChoice command to have a dead good (honest!) game. See the file Game.bat which should have come with this program for an example of this. -->8--------------------------------------------------------------------8<-- If you wish to complain/comment/send cash then either email me at the above address, or write to me at Kevin Fairhurst Goodricke College University of York Heslington York YO1 5DD England Also, check out my homepage on http://www.york.ac.uk/~krf101