Python Random – random() Function

There are certain situations that involve games or simulations which work on a non-deterministic approach. In these types of situations, random numbers are extensively used in the following applications:

• Creating pseudo-random numbers on Lottery scratch cards
• reCAPTCHA on login forms uses a random number generator to define different numbers and images
• Picking a number, flipping a coin, and throwing of a dice related games required random numbers
• Shuffling deck of playing cards

In Python, random numbers are not generated implicitly; therefore, it provides a random module in order to generate random numbers explicitly. A random module in Python is used to create random numbers.  To generate a random number, we need to import a random module in our program using the command:

import random

Python Random random() Method

The random.random() function generates random floating numbers in the range of 0.1, and 1.0. It takes no parameters and returns values uniformly distributed between 0 and 1. There are various functions associated with the random module are:

1. Python random()
2. Python randrange()
3. Python randint()
4. Python seed()
5. Python choice(), and many more. We are only demonstrating the use of the random() function in this article.

Python Random random() Syntax

Syntax : random.random()

Parameters : This method does not accept any parameter.

Returns : This method returns a random floating number between 0 and 1.

Python random.random() Method Example

Random in Python generate different number every time you run this program.

Python3

# Python3 program to demonstrate
# the use of random() function .

# import random
from random import random

# Prints random item
print(random())

Output:

0.41941790721207284

Another way to write the same code.

Python3

# Python3 program to demonstrate
# the use of random() function .
  import random

# Prints random item
print(random.random())

Output:
0.059970593824388185

Create a List of Random Numbers

The random() method in Python from the random module generates a float number between 0 and 1. Here, we are using Python Loop and append random numbers in the Python list.

Python3

# Python3 program to demonstrate
# the use of random() function .

# import random
from random import random

lst = []

for i in range(10):
  lst.append(random())

# Prints random items
print(lst)

Output:

[0.12144204979175777, 0.27614050014306335, 0.8217122381411321, 0.34259785168486445, 0.6119383347065234, 0.8527573184278889, 0.9741465121560601, 0.21663626227016142, 0.9381166706029976, 0.2785298315133211] 

Python Random seed() Method

This function generates a random number based on the seed value. It is used to initialize the base value of the pseudorandom number generator. If the seed value is 10, it will always generate 0.5714025946899135 as the first random number.

Python3

import random

random.seed(10)
print(random.random())
#Printing the random number twice
random.seed(10)
print(random.random())

Output:

0.5714025946899135
0.5714025946899135