DBMS_RANDOM , 2 of 2

Summary of DBMS_RANDOM Subprograms

Table 48-1 DBMS_RANDOM Package Subprograms

Subprogram	Description
INITIALIZE Procedure	Initializes the package with a seed value.
SEED Procedure	Resets the seed.
RANDOM Function	Gets the random number.
TERMINATE Procedure	Closes the package.

INITIALIZE Procedure

To use the package, first call the initialize subprogram with the seed to use.

Syntax

DBMS_RANDOM.INITIALIZE (
   seed  IN  BINARY_INTEGER);

Note:

Use a seed that is sufficiently large, more than 5 digits. A single digit may not return sufficiently random numbers. Also consider getting the seed from variable values such as the time.

Parameters

Table 48-2 INITIALIZE Procedure Parameters

Parameter	Description
seed	Seed number used to generate a random number.

SEED Procedure

This procedure resets the seed.

Syntax

DBMS_RANDOM.SEED (
   seed  IN  BINARY_INTEGER);

Parameters

Table 48-3 INITIALIZE Procedure Parameters

Parameter	Description
`seed`	Seed number used to generate a random number.

RANDOM Function

This function gets the random number.

Syntax

DBMS_RANDOM.RANDOM
   RETURN BINARY_INTEGER;

TERMINATE Procedure

When you are finished with the package, call the TERMINATE procedure.

Syntax

DBMS_RANDOM.TERMINATE;