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8.85 RAND — Real pseudo-random number

Description:
RAND(FLAG) returns a pseudo-random number from a uniform distribution between 0 and 1. If FLAG is 0, the next number in the current sequence is returned; if FLAG is 1, the generator is restarted by CALL SRAND(0); if FLAG has any other value, it is used as a new seed with SRAND.
Option:
gnu
Class:
non-elemental function
Syntax:
X = RAND(FLAG)
Arguments:

FLAG shall be a scalar INTEGER of kind 4.

Return value:
The return value is of REAL type and the default kind.
Example:
          program test_rand
            integer,parameter :: seed = 86456
          
            call srand(seed)
            print *, rand(), rand(), rand(), rand()
            print *, rand(seed), rand(), rand(), rand()
          end program test_rand
     

Note:
For compatibility with HP FORTRAN 77/iX, the RAN intrinsic is provided as an alias for RAND.