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RANDOM(6)                            SysV                            RANDOM(6)



NAME
     random - random number generator

SYNOPSIS
     /usr/games/random [numbers] [characters]

DESCRIPTION
     random is a random number generator that accepts input of numbers or
     characters. There is about a 50% probability that the program will match
     and output the lines that you use as input. You can also perform a
     particular task (e.g., combining lines in a file, listing a directory,
     etc.) and then use random in a pipeline to produce a random sampling of
     the output. The random comand is a likely candidate for use in other
     games that require the use of a random number generator.

EXAMPLE
     The following command line lists a random percentage (about 50%) of the
     contents of mydir:

        % ls mydir | random

Typewritten Software • bear@typewritten.org • Edmonds, WA 98026