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Instructions for {{Random}}
{{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}} = 208
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.
- Tenth Doctor: Jack-of-all-trades sort of vessel.
- Martha Jones: What happened to it?
- Tenth Doctor: Dunno. No life signs, but no signs of collision or other damage either. I can't tell at the moment how long it's been here. Days, years, decades. There's an atmosphere, though, and gravity – now that's odd in itself. And there's a few other little things as well...
- Martha: Enough to pique your interest?
- Tenth Doctor: Oh yes! My interest is well and truly piqued. It's reached a critical level of piqued-ness. If it were any more piqued, I'd... I think I'd run out of pique and need a little lie-down!