Template:Random new/doc

{{Random new/doc}} is a randomisation template which comes from a point in the development of wikipedia:template:random number before it depended on {{#time:U}}. To you, the user, it should still function much like {{random}}, so those instructions are included below.

Remember, however, that the instructions below are written for {{random}} and therefore you will have to substitute {{random}} with {{random old school}}. Also, there are currently, as of 21:12, October 22, 2013 (UTC), bugs with {{random}} that prevent it from randomising properly. Therefore, you may not see the example below change on page load.

This example, however, should randomly display a number between one and 52 for you:

40

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{{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}} = 456

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.

Mike Yates: Sorry, Doctor. I’m supposed to have permission from the Brig before I leave the country, let alone before I leave the planet. I’d love to come along, but I think I’ll have –

Jo Grant: Oh, go on. Mike. Didn’t you say you wanted to see the wonders of the universe?

Mike Yates: (hesitantly) Are you sure this is quite safe, Doctor? There won’t be any complications? I need to report for duty at six o’clock tomorrow morning, you know.

Third Doctor: Complications? My dear chip, I’ve no idea what you mean! Don’t worry, I’ve checked the coordinates three times. Nothing can possibly go wrong.

PROSE: Speed of Flight