Template:Random old school/doc
{{Random old school/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.
{{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}} = 935
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.
- Fifth Doctor: It's quite simple. On the off behind the wicket and close to it are the slips. Behind them, third man.
- Turlough: (sarcastically) Easy.
- Fifth Doctor: It's a position. Like mid-off.
- Turlough: Silly.
- Fifth Doctor: No, no, no. Silly mid-off's different altogether.
- Turlough: I meant it's silly. The whole game. I can't think why you're so keen on it, Doctor.
- Fifth Doctor: Well you know, every man should have a hobby. It helps to while away eternity.
