Date: 2011nov4 Language: Java Q. Java: Generate a random integer in a range A. There are two ways. Use Math.random() if you just want one:

int number = (int) Math.floor(Math.random() * biggest); // Gives 0 to biggest - 1

Use the Random class if you want many:

Random random = new Random(); int number = random.nextInt(biggest); // Also gives a number in 0 to biggest - 1

Using the first method, here's a way to make something execute 50% of the time:

// We generate either 0 or 1 and compare it with 0 if ((int) Math.floor(Math.random() * 2) == 0) { // This will be done half the time } else { // This will also be done half the time }

We can put that in a function:

boolean isCoinTossHeads() { return (int) Math.floor(Math.random() * 2) == 0; } if (isCoinTossHeads()) { // its heads } else { // its tails }