Template:Random/doc: Difference between revisions

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{{tlx|random|1000}} = {{random|1000}}
{{tlx|random|1000}} = {{random|1000}}


This number will change every time the page loads. If, however, you want to choose a random number that's "locked" in place by the act of hitting the publish button, then you have to substitute the template, like this:
This number will change every time the page loads.  
<code><nowiki><includeonly>subst:</includeonly>{{random|1000}}</nowiki></code> =


{{<includeonly>subst:</includeoly>{{#expr:{{random|1000}} + 0}} }}
Though this simple aspect is enough to power any number of functions — such as determining which random, numbered subpage to call on a page, the template does have additional sophistication, detailed at {{w|template:random}} on Wikipedia.
== Example of calling forth a page ==
If you type the following, you will get a different quote of the week on every page load:
<pre>{{qotw/{{#expr:{{random|52}} + 1}}}}</pre>
 
Test it out by reloading this page several times.  What you get below will be different on ''almost'' every page, though with a sample size of only 52, you're bound to get some repeats.  The reason is because there are 53 pages in the following format:<pre>{{qotw/n}}</pre>However, there is no <nowiki>{{tlx|qotw/0}}</nowiki>.  Thus by adding 1 to the randomly selected number between 0 and 52, we ensure the choice will be between the numbers 1 and 53. 
<div id=license>{{qotw/{{#expr:{{random|52}} +1}}}}</div>
<noinclude>[[category:template documentation|{{PAGENAME}}]]</noinclude>

Latest revision as of 12:09, 28 October 2014

{{random}} generates a random number, at least to the extent that non-mathematicians will be happy with the term "random", through simple markup. The number can be from 1 to whatever number you choose, up to 1000.

Syntax is straightforward:

{{random|1000}} = 982

This number will change every time the page loads.

Though this simple aspect is enough to power any number of functions — such as determining which random, numbered subpage to call on a page, the template does have additional sophistication, detailed at template:random on Wikipedia.

Example of calling forth a page

If you type the following, you will get a different quote of the week on every page load:

{{qotw/{{#expr:{{random|52}} + 1}}}}

Test it out by reloading this page several times. What you get below will be different on almost every page, though with a sample size of only 52, you're bound to get some repeats. The reason is because there are 53 pages in the following format:

{{qotw/n}}

However, there is no {{tlx|qotw/0}}. Thus by adding 1 to the randomly selected number between 0 and 52, we ensure the choice will be between the numbers 1 and 53.

Roz Forrester: (to the Seventh Doctor) What's cricket?
Bernice Summerfield: I think that's in the top ten of the most dangerous questions in the universe, right up there with "Excuse me, Mr Dalek, what does that stick do?"
PROSE: Happy Endings