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Random Numbers distributed evenly without pattern


IBM Mainframe Forums -> COBOL Programming
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grvtomar

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Joined: 29 Apr 2015
Posts: 7
Location: Sri Lanka

PostPosted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 3:34 am
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Hi Mainframers,

I want to create random numbers using COBOL. These numbers should have the properties
1. It should be random
2. Evenly distributed
which means If It of 4 digits
0001- 999 . - around 10%
1001- 1999 . around 10%
2001- 2999 . around 10%
..... - ......
and so on..

3. It should not have some pattern

I am not sure if it is possible with COBOL. I tried to do it with Random function+Db2 nano-seconds(seed). I got the purely random numbers. But I am not able to achieve point 2 and point 3 using that. Any approach in Cobol would be helpful icon_smile.gif

Many Thanks
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sergeyken

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Joined: 29 Apr 2008
Posts: 2141
Location: USA

PostPosted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 4:29 am
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All known RANDOM functions do provide even distribution of values, and no obviously visible pattern.
I recommend not to make simple things to become very complex.
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grvtomar

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Joined: 29 Apr 2015
Posts: 7
Location: Sri Lanka

PostPosted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 6:13 am
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Sorry, my question was not clear I guess..
SO
Random Function used to generate two random-digits series
Randoms digits-1 Random Digits-2
xxxx yyyy
gggg hhhh
.....
....
...
(1000 numbers for each random-digits)

Both the series is having similar pattern and non-even distributing.
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Robert Sample

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Joined: 06 Jun 2008
Posts: 8700
Location: Dubuque, Iowa, USA

PostPosted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 7:20 am
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Quote:
Sorry, my question was not clear I guess..
No, you are not being clear at all.

FUNCTION RANDOM in COBOL generates a pseudo-random sequence of values from a rectangular distribution (IBM's words, not mine). What that means is that if you THINK you are seeing patterns or non-uniformly distributed values, you need to review what you are doing:
- are you using a seed value for FUNCTION RANDOM?
- are you converting the returned values to your value range correctly?
- what does your code look like?

Properly used, FUNCTION RANDOM in COBOL will return uniformly distributed values that are pseudo-random (named this because computers cannot provide truly random values). So if you're not seeing this, you have made some mistake in your use of the function.
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Rohit Umarjikar

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Joined: 21 Sep 2010
Posts: 3076
Location: NYC,USA

PostPosted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 5:39 pm
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Try using one or many sequence objects in db2. Your DbA should help you if you at all approach him.
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jerryte

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Joined: 29 Oct 2010
Posts: 203
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 9:17 pm
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Below shows sample code to call the Language Environment subroutine to generate a random number between 0 and 1 as a double floating point.
Code:
05 W-CEERAN0-SEED                PIC S9(08) COMP-5 VALUE 0.
05 W-CEERAN0-NUM                 COMP-2.

CALL 'CEERAN0'
USING W-CEERAN0-SEED
      W-CEERAN0-NUM
      OMITTED
END-CALL

If you want a 4 digit number then multiply the result by 10000 and then move to an PIC 9(4) field.
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Rohit Umarjikar

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Joined: 21 Sep 2010
Posts: 3076
Location: NYC,USA

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 11:23 pm
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That's good to know. here is the link for further details.
CEERAN0—Calculate uniform random numbers
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