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CreateRandomValueGenerator

Summary

Creates a new random number generator.

Syntax

CreateRandomValueGenerator (seed, distribution)
ParameterExplanationData Type
seed

Initializes the random number generator.

Integer
distribution

The random generation algorithm.

  • ACM599 —ACM collected algorithm 599
  • MERSENNE_TWISTER —Mersenne Twister mt19937
  • STANDARD_C —Standard C Rand

(The default value is ACM599)

String

Return Value

Data TypeExplanation
Object

The RandomNumberGenerator object.

Code sample

CreateRandomValueGenerator example

Create and initialize random number generator object.

import arcpy

# CreateRandomValueGenerator takes 2 arguments, seed and distribution
# method. The distribution method options are ACM599,
# MERSENNE_TWISTER, and STANDARD_C.
#
# The gen variable is a randomNumberGenerator object that is assigned
# to the randomGenerator environments setting.
arcpy.env.randomGenerator = arcpy.CreateRandomValueGenerator(20, "STANDARD_C")

# Calculate a random number using the ArcGIS.Rand() function
result = arcpy.CalculateValue_management("arcgis.rand('normal 0.0 10.0')")

# Print the returned value from the Result object
print(float(result.getOutput(0)))

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