Re: [fpc-pascal] Bug in documentation for Random?

2017-04-06 Thread Lukasz Sokol 
On 05/04/17 17:55, Bart wrote:
> http://docwiki.embarcadero.com/RADStudio/Tokyo/en/Random
> 
> "random returns a random number between 0 and abs(num-1)"
> 
> IIUC, then Random() shoud always return a positive number.
> 
Mmm, I don't think so:

For y := Random(num);

the unsigned value of 'y' will will between 0 and abs(num-1) - inclusive,
but then, the value returned keeps the sign of num;

(this as per FPC implementation)

I like Giuliano's definition, it is brief and beautiful:

>> Random(L) returns a random number in the range 0 (included) to L 
>> (excluded). 

(maybe with a similarly brief and concise remark: 'regardless of the sign of L'


> Bart

-L.


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Re: [fpc-pascal] Bug in documentation for Random?

2017-04-05 Thread Ched 

Usualy "non-negative", not positive !


Cheers, Ched'


Le 05.04.2017 à 16:55, Bart a écrit :

http://docwiki.embarcadero.com/RADStudio/Tokyo/en/Random

"random returns a random number between 0 and abs(num-1)"

IIUC, then Random() shoud always return a positive number.

Bart
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Re: [fpc-pascal] Bug in documentation for Random?

2017-04-05 Thread Bart 
http://docwiki.embarcadero.com/RADStudio/Tokyo/en/Random

"random returns a random number between 0 and abs(num-1)"

IIUC, then Random() shoud always return a positive number.

Bart
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Re: [fpc-pascal] Bug in documentation for Random?

2017-04-05 Thread Bart 
Fun fact: TP's random used an unsigned parameter (word), so no ambiguity there.

Random (function)
 --
Returns a random number.

 Declaration:
 function Random [ ( Range: Word) ]: < Same type as parameter >;

Bart
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Re: [fpc-pascal] Bug in documentation for Random?

2017-04-05 Thread Bart 
On 4/5/17, Santiago A.  wrote:

> random(-10)
> will output numbres -9..0

That was not realy the question.
The question is wether the documentation is wrong, or the
implementation or neither.

B.t.w. Delphi7 gives me:
Random(-10) = -776108169
Random(-10) = 244426112
Random(-10) = -1774796928
Random(-10) = 1443026331
Random(-10) = -919853036
Random(-10) = -747947900
Random(-10) = -1767321924
Random(-10) = -2114448955
Random(-10) = 1499268340
Random(-10) = -1658783534
(which makes no sense at all to me...)

Bart
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Re: [fpc-pascal] Bug in documentation for Random?

2017-04-05 Thread Giuliano Colla 

Il 05/04/2017 18:09, Bart ha scritto:

http://www.freepascal.org/docs-html/current/rtl/system/random.html

"Random returns a random number larger or equal to 0 and strictly less than L"

However random(a negative number) returns a number <= 0 and > L


program r;
begin
   randomize;
   writeln('Random(-10) = ',Random(-10));
end.

C:\Users\Bart\LazarusProjecten>test
random(-10) = -1
C:\Users\Bart\LazarusProjecten>test
random(-10) = -4

Maybe my understanding of English ("strictly less than") is not
correct, so I ask here before posting as a bugreport.



My scant knowledge of English leads me to believe that the sentence 
should be rephrased in order to cover the negative numbers case:


either:

   Random return a random number with the same sign of L, and whose
   absolute value is larger or equal to zero and strictly less than the
   absolute value of L.

or:

   Random return a random number in the range 0 (included) to L (excluded).

Just my 2c.

Giuliano

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Re: [fpc-pascal] Bug in documentation for Random?

2017-04-05 Thread Santiago A. 
El 05/04/2017 a las 18:09, Bart escribió:
> http://www.freepascal.org/docs-html/current/rtl/system/random.html
>
> "Random returns a random number larger or equal to 0 and strictly less than L"
>
> However random(a negative number) returns a number <= 0 and > L
>
>
> program r;
> begin
>   randomize;
>   writeln('Random(-10) = ',Random(-10));
> end.
>
> C:\Users\Bart\LazarusProjecten>test
> random(-10) = -1
> C:\Users\Bart\LazarusProjecten>test
> random(-10) = -4
>
> Maybe my understanding of English ("strictly less than") is not
> correct, so I ask here before posting as a bugreport.

I've never used negative values, so this is just a guess:
random(+10)
will output numbres 0..9

random(-10)
will output numbres -9..0

so, it is equivalent to
-random(10)

-- 
Saludos

Santi
s...@ciberpiula.net

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