Thread: Generating random numbers in java without repeating a specific number

Let say i have this code:

public class MyRandomStuff {
 public static void main (String[]args) {
 
  int [] randomNumbers = new int[5];
 
for (int i=0; i<randomNumbers.length; i++) {
   randomNumbers[i] = (int)(Math.random()*20)+1;
System.out.println(randomNumbers[i]);
}
}}

This program generates 5 random numbers within the range of 1-20.
My question is, is it possible to prevent the program from generating let's say 5,12 12, 3,1 (prevent it from generating a number twice? in this case 12)

No, you can't prevent the random number generator from generating specific numbers within the specified range.

There are other ways to accomplish what you describe.

Approach 1: Add the resulting random numbers to a set. If accepted (returns true), the random number has not been previously chosen. Otherwise, choose another random number.

Approach 2: Consider dealing from a deck of cards. If the cards are shuffled, dealing the cards in order results in as many "random" cards as desired. Or, if the cards are not shuffled, dealing cards from random locations in the deck accomplishes the same thing.

Following the card example, to simulate selecting a random number from a specific range of 20 unique values without repeating, create an array of 20 numbers in the desired range. Randomly select an index 0 - 19, select the value at that index (deal it), swap that value for the value in the last index, and reduce the range by 1. For example (using a range of 10 values):

randomArray = [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ]

Choose an index randomly from 0 through 9: 6
Select the number at that index: 7
Swap index 6 with index 9: randomArray = [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 8, 9, 7 ]
Reduce the range by 1: 0 through 8.

Repeat as needed.

Thanks.I have moved away from this problem as i now understand i cannot prevent the random number generator from generating a specific number twice.

Sometimes we move away from one problem and end up next door to another one. Possible solutions to this "problem" are in my response.

Originally Posted by GregBrannon

Sometimes we move away from one problem and end up next door to another one. Possible solutions to this "problem" are in my response.

Okay.I'll get right to it.

--- Update ---

Ok so am working using Sets now (for the first time) and i discovered it does not allow duplicates which is good.but problem is,when i run the code over and over again, i get varying sizes. for example: (i specified a size of 7)
at first run [4,8,9]
second run [5,2,1,3,6,7,8]
third run [4,7,3,2,]
why does the size change?

Originally Posted by ojonugwa

why does the size change?

There is a tree blocking my view of your screen, so I can not see your code.
Crystal ball says the size varies because duplicate numbers are omitted and the loop runs a specific number of times only.
So if you say 7, and two numbers were duplicates the end result is 5.
If you need more help, post the code in question

I have found that this is the case.

EDIT: Ignore this post. I misunderstood what the OP wanted and created a solution to a problem that didn't exist. I'll take a look later and see if I can come up with something - I have a vague idea in my head but if these other people say it's not possible, it's probably not, considering they know WAY, WAY more than I do lol.

-summit45

cool.

--- Update ---

Found a solution (?) to the problem.

...
ArrayList <Integer> numbers = new ArrayList<Integer>();
int position=0;
int maxNum= 0;
 
 for (i=0; i<5;i++) {
      numbers.add((int)(Math.random()*10)+1);  
    }
 
 for (i=0;i<numbers.size();i++){
        if (numbers.get(i) > maxNum) { 
            position=i;
            maxNum = numbers.get(i);
        }
    }
 
    numbers.remove(position); //removes the index that contains the maximum number along with the value in it
 
    System.out.println("Maximum number: " +  maxNum);
 
    System.out.println("Found max at index " + position);
 
   //what this does is iterate through the NEW set of numbers after the maximum has been removed, and it finds the same number,it simply removes it.
 
    for (i=0;i<numbers.size();i++){
        if (numbers.get(i) == maxNum) { 
            position=i;
            numbers.remove(position);
           //maxNum = numbers.get(i);
        }
    }