![]() | Chapter 8: Change | ![]() ![]() |
8.19. Random choices of things |
Writing "a random number" is not allowed, because the possible range is too large, but that was the only reason why not.
a/-- random (description of values) ... value
This phrase makes a uniformly random choice from values satisfying the description given. Example:
a random visited room
A problem message is issued if the range is too large (for instance, "a random text"). Unexpected results may follow if no value fits the description, unless we are describing objects, in which case the result is the special value "nothing".
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For instance:
say "You can see [number of adjacent rooms] way[s] from here; how about [random adjacent room]?"
But it's important to worry about the possibility that nothing qualifies - here, that no adjacent rooms exist. The above would then say:
You can see 0 ways from here; how about nothing?
| ![]() One of several identical candies chosen at the start of play to be poisonous. |
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| ![]() A "Carousel Room", as in Zork II, where moving in any direction from the room leads (at random) to one of the eight rooms nearby. |
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