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Random.Next Method

Definition

Returns a random integer.

Overloads

Next()

Returns a non-negative random integer.

Next(Int32)

Returns a non-negative random integer that is less than the specified maximum.

Next(Int32, Int32)

Returns a random integer that is within a specified range.

Next()

Source:
Random.cs
Source:
Random.cs
Source:
Random.cs

Returns a non-negative random integer.

public virtual int Next();

Returns

A 32-bit signed integer that is greater than or equal to 0 and less than Int32.MaxValue.

Examples

The following example makes repeated calls to the Next method to generate 10 random numbers.

Console.WriteLine("Generating 10 random numbers:");

Random rnd = new();

for (uint ctr = 1; ctr <= 10; ctr++)
    Console.WriteLine($"{rnd.Next(),15:N0}");

// The example displays output like the following:
//
//     Generating 10 random numbers:
//         1,733,189,596
//           566,518,090
//         1,166,108,546
//         1,931,426,514
//         1,532,939,448
//           762,207,767
//           815,074,920
//         1,521,208,785
//         1,950,436,671
//         1,266,596,666

The following example derives a class from Random to generate a sequence of random numbers whose distribution differs from the uniform distribution generated by the Sample method of the base class. It overrides the Sample method to provide the distribution of random numbers, and overrides the Random.Next method to use series of random numbers.

using System;

// This derived class converts the uniformly distributed random
// numbers generated by base.Sample() to another distribution.
public class RandomProportional : Random
{
    // The Sample method generates a distribution proportional to the value
    // of the random numbers, in the range [0.0, 1.0].
    protected override double Sample()
    {
        return Math.Sqrt(base.Sample());
    }

    public override int Next()
    {
       return (int) (Sample() * int.MaxValue);
    }
}

public class RandomSampleDemo
{
    static void Main()
    {	
        const int rows = 4, cols = 6;
        const int runCount = 1000000;
        const int distGroupCount = 10;
        const double intGroupSize =
            ((double)int.MaxValue + 1.0) / (double)distGroupCount;

        RandomProportional randObj = new RandomProportional();

        int[ ]      intCounts = new int[ distGroupCount ];
        int[ ]      realCounts = new int[ distGroupCount ];

        Console.WriteLine(
            "\nThe derived RandomProportional class overrides " +
            "the Sample method to \ngenerate random numbers " +
            "in the range [0.0, 1.0]. The distribution \nof " +
            "the numbers is proportional to their numeric values. " +
            "For example, \nnumbers are generated in the " +
            "vicinity of 0.75 with three times the \n" +
            "probability of those generated near 0.25.");
        Console.WriteLine(
            "\nRandom doubles generated with the NextDouble() " +
            "method:\n");

        // Generate and display [rows * cols] random doubles.
        for (int i = 0; i < rows; i++)
        {
            for (int j = 0; j < cols; j++)
                Console.Write("{0,12:F8}", randObj.NextDouble());
            Console.WriteLine();
        }

        Console.WriteLine(
            "\nRandom integers generated with the Next() " +
            "method:\n");

        // Generate and display [rows * cols] random integers.
        for (int i = 0; i < rows; i++)
        {
            for (int j = 0; j < cols; j++)
                Console.Write("{0,12}", randObj.Next());
            Console.WriteLine();
        }

        Console.WriteLine(
            "\nTo demonstrate the proportional distribution, " +
            "{0:N0} random \nintegers and doubles are grouped " +
            "into {1} equal value ranges. This \n" +
            "is the count of values in each range:\n",
            runCount, distGroupCount);
        Console.WriteLine(
            "{0,21}{1,10}{2,20}{3,10}", "Integer Range",
            "Count", "Double Range", "Count");
        Console.WriteLine(
            "{0,21}{1,10}{2,20}{3,10}", "-------------",
            "-----", "------------", "-----");

        // Generate random integers and doubles, and then count
        // them by group.
        for (int i = 0; i < runCount; i++)
        {
            intCounts[ (int)((double)randObj.Next() /
                intGroupSize) ]++;
            realCounts[ (int)(randObj.NextDouble() *
                (double)distGroupCount) ]++;
        }

        // Display the count of each group.
        for (int i = 0; i < distGroupCount; i++)
            Console.WriteLine(
                "{0,10}-{1,10}{2,10:N0}{3,12:N5}-{4,7:N5}{5,10:N0}",
                (int)((double)i * intGroupSize),
                (int)((double)(i + 1) * intGroupSize - 1.0),
                intCounts[ i ],
                ((double)i) / (double)distGroupCount,
                ((double)(i + 1)) / (double)distGroupCount,
                realCounts[ i ]);
    }
}

/*
This example of Random.Sample() displays output similar to the following:

   The derived RandomProportional class overrides the Sample method to
   generate random numbers in the range [0.0, 1.0). The distribution
   of the numbers is proportional to the number values. For example,
   numbers are generated in the vicinity of 0.75 with three times the
   probability of those generated near 0.25.

   Random doubles generated with the NextDouble() method:

     0.59455719  0.17589882  0.83134398  0.35795862  0.91467727  0.54022658
     0.93716947  0.54817519  0.94685080  0.93705478  0.18582318  0.71272428
     0.77708682  0.95386216  0.70412393  0.86099417  0.08275804  0.79108316
     0.71019941  0.84205103  0.41685082  0.58186880  0.89492302  0.73067715

   Random integers generated with the Next() method:

     1570755704  1279192549  1747627711  1705700211  1372759203  1849655615
     2046235980  1210843924  1554274149  1307936697  1480207570  1057595022
      337854215   844109928  2028310798  1386669369  2073517658  1291729809
     1537248240  1454198019  1934863511  1640004334  2032620207   534654791

   To demonstrate the proportional distribution, 1,000,000 random
   integers and doubles are grouped into 10 equal value ranges. This
   is the count of values in each range:

           Integer Range     Count        Double Range     Count
           -------------     -----        ------------     -----
            0- 214748363    10,079     0.00000-0.10000    10,148
    214748364- 429496728    29,835     0.10000-0.20000    29,849
    429496729- 644245093    49,753     0.20000-0.30000    49,948
    644245094- 858993458    70,325     0.30000-0.40000    69,656
    858993459-1073741823    89,906     0.40000-0.50000    90,337
   1073741824-1288490187   109,868     0.50000-0.60000   110,225
   1288490188-1503238552   130,388     0.60000-0.70000   129,986
   1503238553-1717986917   149,231     0.70000-0.80000   150,428
   1717986918-1932735282   170,234     0.80000-0.90000   169,610
   1932735283-2147483647   190,381     0.90000-1.00000   189,813
*/

Remarks

Random.Next generates a random number whose value ranges from 0 to less than Int32.MaxValue. To generate a random number whose value ranges from 0 to some other positive number, use the Random.Next(Int32) method overload. To generate a random number within a different range, use the Random.Next(Int32, Int32) method overload.

Notes to Inheritors

If you derive a class from Random and override the Sample() method, the distribution provided by the derived class implementation of the Sample() method is not used in calls to the base class implementation of the Next() method. Instead, the uniform distribution returned by the base Random class is used. This behavior improves the overall performance of the Random class. To modify this behavior to call the Sample() method in the derived class, you must also override the Next() method.

See also

Applies to

.NET 9 and other versions
Product Versions
.NET Core 1.0, Core 1.1, Core 2.0, Core 2.1, Core 2.2, Core 3.0, Core 3.1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
.NET Framework 1.1, 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 4.5.1, 4.5.2, 4.6, 4.6.1, 4.6.2, 4.7, 4.7.1, 4.7.2, 4.8, 4.8.1
.NET Standard 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.0, 2.1
UWP 10.0

Next(Int32)

Source:
Random.cs
Source:
Random.cs
Source:
Random.cs

Returns a non-negative random integer that is less than the specified maximum.

public virtual int Next(int maxValue);

Parameters

maxValue
Int32

The exclusive upper bound of the random number to be generated. maxValue must be greater than or equal to 0.

Returns

A 32-bit signed integer that is greater than or equal to 0, and less than maxValue; that is, the range of return values ordinarily includes 0 but not maxValue. However, if maxValue equals 0, 0 is returned.

Exceptions

maxValue is less than 0.

Examples

The following example generates random integers with various overloads of the Next method.

Console.WriteLine(
    """
    This example of the Random.Next() methods
    generates the following output.
    """
    );
Console.WriteLine(
    """
    Create Random objects all with the same seed and
    generate\nsequences of numbers with different
    bounds. Note the effect\nthat the various
    combinations of bounds have on the sequences.
    """
    );

NoBoundsRandoms(234);

UpperBoundRandoms(234, int.MaxValue);
UpperBoundRandoms(234, 2000000000);
UpperBoundRandoms(234, 200000000);

BothBoundsRandoms(234, 0, int.MaxValue);
BothBoundsRandoms(234, int.MinValue, int.MaxValue);
BothBoundsRandoms(234, -2000000000, 2000000000);
BothBoundsRandoms(234, -200000000, 200000000);
BothBoundsRandoms(234, -2000, 2000);

// Generate random numbers with no bounds specified.
void NoBoundsRandoms(int seed)
{
    Console.WriteLine(
        $"\nRandom object, seed = {seed}, no bounds:"
        );
    Random randObj = new(seed);

    // Generate six random integers from 0 to int.MaxValue.
    for (int j = 0; j < 6; j++)
        Console.Write($"{randObj.Next(),11} ");
    Console.WriteLine();
}

// Generate random numbers with an upper bound specified.
void UpperBoundRandoms(int seed, int upper)
{
    Console.WriteLine(
        $"\nRandom object, seed = {seed}, upper bound = {upper}:"
        );
    Random randObj = new(seed);

    // Generate six random integers from 0 to the upper bound.
    for (int j = 0; j < 6; j++)
        Console.Write($"{randObj.Next(upper),11} ");
    Console.WriteLine();
}

// Generate random numbers with both bounds specified.
void BothBoundsRandoms(int seed, int lower, int upper)
{
    Console.WriteLine(
        "\nRandom object, seed = {0}, lower = {1}, " +
        "upper = {2}:", seed, lower, upper);
    Random randObj = new(seed);

    // Generate six random integers from the lower to
    // upper bounds.
    for (int j = 0; j < 6; j++)
        Console.Write($"{randObj.Next(lower, upper),11} ");
    Console.WriteLine();
}

/*
This example of the Random.Next() methods
generates the following output.

Create Random objects all with the same seed and generate
sequences of numbers with different bounds. Note the effect
that the various combinations of bounds have on the sequences.

Random object, seed = 234, no bounds:
2091148258  1024955023   711273344  1081917183  1833298756   109460588

Random object, seed = 234, upper bound = 2147483647:
2091148258  1024955023   711273344  1081917183  1833298756   109460588

Random object, seed = 234, upper bound = 2000000000:
1947533580   954563751   662424922  1007613896  1707392518   101943116

Random object, seed = 234, upper bound = 200000000:
194753358    95456375    66242492   100761389   170739251    10194311

Random object, seed = 234, lower = 0, upper = 2147483647:
2091148258  1024955023   711273344  1081917183  1833298756   109460588

Random object, seed = 234, lower = -2147483648, upper = 2147483647:
2034812868   -97573602  -724936960    16350718  1519113864 -1928562472

Random object, seed = 234, lower = -2000000000, upper = 2000000000:
1895067160   -90872498  -675150156    15227793  1414785036 -1796113767

Random object, seed = 234, lower = -200000000, upper = 200000000:
189506716    -9087250   -67515016     1522779   141478503  -179611377

Random object, seed = 234, lower = -2000, upper = 2000:
    1895         -91        -676          15        1414       -1797
*/

The following example generates a random integer that it uses as an index to retrieve a string value from an array. Because the highest index of the array is one less than its length, the value of the Array.Length property is supplied as a the maxValue parameter.

Random rnd = new();
string[] malePetNames = [ "Rufus", "Bear", "Dakota", "Fido",
                        "Vanya", "Samuel", "Koani", "Volodya",
                        "Prince", "Yiska" ];
string[] femalePetNames = [ "Maggie", "Penny", "Saya", "Princess",
                          "Abby", "Laila", "Sadie", "Olivia",
                          "Starlight", "Talla" ];

// Generate random indexes for pet names.
int mIndex = rnd.Next(malePetNames.Length);
int fIndex = rnd.Next(femalePetNames.Length);

// Display the result.
Console.WriteLine("Suggested pet name of the day: ");
Console.WriteLine($"   For a male:     {malePetNames[mIndex]}");
Console.WriteLine($"   For a female:   {femalePetNames[fIndex]}");

// The example displays output similar to the following:
//       Suggested pet name of the day:
//          For a male:     Koani
//          For a female:   Maggie

Remarks

The Next(Int32) overload returns random integers that range from 0 to maxValue - 1. However, if maxValue is 0, the method returns 0.

See also

Applies to

.NET 9 and other versions
Product Versions
.NET Core 1.0, Core 1.1, Core 2.0, Core 2.1, Core 2.2, Core 3.0, Core 3.1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
.NET Framework 1.1, 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 4.5.1, 4.5.2, 4.6, 4.6.1, 4.6.2, 4.7, 4.7.1, 4.7.2, 4.8, 4.8.1
.NET Standard 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.0, 2.1
UWP 10.0

Next(Int32, Int32)

Source:
Random.cs
Source:
Random.cs
Source:
Random.cs

Returns a random integer that is within a specified range.

public virtual int Next(int minValue, int maxValue);

Parameters

minValue
Int32

The inclusive lower bound of the random number returned.

maxValue
Int32

The exclusive upper bound of the random number returned. maxValue must be greater than or equal to minValue.

Returns

A 32-bit signed integer greater than or equal to minValue and less than maxValue; that is, the range of return values includes minValue but not maxValue. If minValue equals maxValue, minValue is returned.

Exceptions

minValue is greater than maxValue.

Examples

The following example uses the Random.Next(Int32, Int32) method to generate random integers with three distinct ranges. Note that the exact output from the example depends on the system-supplied seed value passed to the Random class constructor.

Random rnd = new();

Console.WriteLine("\n20 random integers from -100 to 100:");
for (int ctr = 1; ctr <= 20; ctr++)
{
   Console.Write("{0,6}", rnd.Next(-100, 101));
   if (ctr % 5 == 0) Console.WriteLine();
}

Console.WriteLine("\n20 random integers from 1000 to 10000:");
for (int ctr = 1; ctr <= 20; ctr++)
{
   Console.Write("{0,8}", rnd.Next(1000, 10001));
   if (ctr % 5 == 0) Console.WriteLine();
}

Console.WriteLine("\n20 random integers from 1 to 10:");
for (int ctr = 1; ctr <= 20; ctr++)
{
   Console.Write("{0,6}", rnd.Next(1, 11));
   if (ctr % 5 == 0) Console.WriteLine();
}

// The example displays output similar to the following:
//       20 random integers from -100 to 100:
//           65   -95   -10    90   -35
//          -83   -16   -15   -19    41
//          -67   -93    40    12    62
//          -80   -95    67   -81   -21
//
//       20 random integers from 1000 to 10000:
//           4857    9897    4405    6606    1277
//           9238    9113    5151    8710    1187
//           2728    9746    1719    3837    3736
//           8191    6819    4923    2416    3028
//
//       20 random integers from 1 to 10:
//            9     8     5     9     9
//            9     1     2     3     8
//            1     4     8    10     5
//            9     7     9    10     5

The following example generates a random integer that it uses as an index to retrieve a string value from an array. Because the highest index of the array is one less than its length, the value of the Array.Length property is supplied as a the maxValue parameter.

Random rnd = new();
string[] malePetNames = [ "Rufus", "Bear", "Dakota", "Fido",
                        "Vanya", "Samuel", "Koani", "Volodya",
                        "Prince", "Yiska" ];
string[] femalePetNames = [ "Maggie", "Penny", "Saya", "Princess",
                          "Abby", "Laila", "Sadie", "Olivia",
                          "Starlight", "Talla" ];

// Generate random indexes for pet names.
int mIndex = rnd.Next(0, malePetNames.Length);
int fIndex = rnd.Next(0, femalePetNames.Length);

// Display the result.
Console.WriteLine("Suggested pet name of the day: ");
Console.WriteLine($"   For a male:     {malePetNames[mIndex]}");
Console.WriteLine($"   For a female:   {femalePetNames[fIndex]}");

// The example displays the following output:
//       Suggested pet name of the day:
//          For a male:     Koani
//          For a female:   Maggie

Remarks

The Next(Int32, Int32) overload returns random integers that range from minValue to maxValue - 1. However, if maxValue equals minValue, the method returns minValue.

Unlike the other overloads of the Next method, which return only non-negative values, this method can return a negative random integer.

Notes to Inheritors

Starting with the .NET Framework version 2.0, if you derive a class from Random and override the Sample() method, the distribution provided by the derived class implementation of the Sample() method is not used in calls to the base class implementation of the Next(Int32, Int32) method overload if the difference between the minValue and maxValue parameters is greater than Int32.MaxValue. Instead, the uniform distribution returned by the base Random class is used. This behavior improves the overall performance of the Random class. To modify this behavior to call the Sample() method in the derived class, you must also override the Next(Int32, Int32) method overload.

See also

Applies to

.NET 9 and other versions
Product Versions
.NET Core 1.0, Core 1.1, Core 2.0, Core 2.1, Core 2.2, Core 3.0, Core 3.1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
.NET Framework 1.1, 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 4.5.1, 4.5.2, 4.6, 4.6.1, 4.6.2, 4.7, 4.7.1, 4.7.2, 4.8, 4.8.1
.NET Standard 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.0, 2.1
UWP 10.0