math.randomseed()

Type Function
Library math.*
Return value none
Revision Release 2024.3703
Keywords randomseed
See also math.random()

Overview

Sets the “seed” for the pseudo-random number generator. The same seed will produce the same sequence of random numbers each time and can be useful for testing but it is generally more desirable to have a different sequence for each run by using something like the current time as the seed (see below).

Syntax

math.randomseed( seed )
seed (required)

Number. A number.

Examples

Variable Seed
-- Produces a different sequence each time (assuming enough time between invocations)
math.randomseed( os.time() )
Constant Seed
-- Produces the same sequence of numbers
math.randomseed( 1234 )
print ( math.random(), math.random(), math.random() )  --> 0.31763056866714   0.416967588671   0.97426279353642
math.randomseed( 1234 )
print ( math.random(), math.random(), math.random() )  --> 0.31763056866714   0.416967588671   0.97426279353642