Python Random Number Generator

How to generate Random Numbers using Python’s Random Number Generator.

1) Let’s start with an easy example that generates a random number between 0 and 1 (copy and paste code.):

import random

print(random.random())

Note: you will always have to first import “random”, which is Python’s Random Number Library.
Then, random.random() generates a random number between 0 and 1 (Example: 0.6297148070155475)
The print command displays it to the user.
See belows program execution.




2) To generate a random integer between say 1 and 100 (including 1 and 100):

import random

print(random.randint(1, 100))

Here, random.randint() generates a random integer between 1 and 100 (Example: 83) and the print command displays again it to the user.


3) To generate a list of 5 random integers between 1 and 100 (copy and paste code again.):

import random

for _ in range(5):
 value = randint(0, 100)
 print(value)

Here, the for loop runs 5 times generates a random integer between 1 and 100 each time stored in variable called ‘value’.
Example: 73,12,94,44,63
The print command displays them again to the user.


4) To generate a list of 5 random items from a given list do this (copy and paste code again.):

import random

mylist = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]

print(random.choices(mylist,  k = 5))

Here, random.choices() randomly selects a fruit 5 times.
Example: cherry, banana, banana, apple, banana
The print command displays them again to the user.


5) To shuffle a list of given items do this (copy and paste code again.):

import random

mylist = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
random.shuffle(mylist)

print(mylist)

Here, random.shuffle() shuffles the given fruits. (Example: {cherry, banana, apple} ) and the print command displays them again to the user.


6) To change the output of the random functions you would change the seed, for example use random.seed(10) or random.seed(82) before calling a random function.
Different seeds result in different random outputs for a truly random look;-)
Otherwise random numbers generated by computers are actually pseudo-random.

Try the above 6 examples for yourself using the Python Online Compiler below.

Or try the W3 School Python Compiler: Python Random Number Generator