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Reference > Language > Functions > Random numbers > Randomseed

randomSeed()

[Random Numbers]

Description

randomSeed() initializes the pseudo-random number generator, causing it to start at an arbitrary point in its random sequence. This sequence, while very long, and random, is always the same.

If it is important for a sequence of values generated by random() to differ, on subsequent executions of a sketch, use randomSeed() to initialize the random number generator with a fairly random input, such as analogRead() on an unconnected pin.

Conversely, it can occasionally be useful to use pseudo-random sequences that repeat exactly. This can be accomplished by calling randomSeed() with a fixed number, before starting the random sequence.

Parameters

seed - number to initialize the pseudo-random sequence (unsigned long).

Returns

Nothing

Example Code

The code generates a pseudo-random number and sends the generated number to the serial port.

long randNumber;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  randomSeed(analogRead(0));
}

void loop() {
  randNumber = random(300);
  Serial.println(randNumber);
  delay(50);
}

See also