Random
tl;dr Use $RANDOM to get random numbers in bash scripts.
Quick tip:
yesterday I learned that bash provides $RANDOM to give you pseudo-random variables on demand.
echo $RANDOM $RANDOM26638 7429
Though it looks like a variable, apparently it’s a function! From the linked page:
$RANDOM is an internal Bash function (not a constant) that returns a pseudorandom integer in the range 0 – 32767. It should not be used to generate an encryption key.
So hey,
don’t use it for crypto,
but for quick hacks?
(I used it to generate a series of temporary file names.)
Very nice! 👌
Sure beats the incantations for pulling stuff out of /dev/urandom,
amirite?
Questions? Comments? Contact me!
Tools Used
- bash
- 5.0.11(1)-release