java-how to generate random integer(random number) in java?

1. Purpose

This post is to introduce how to generate random number using java.

2. Solution

Here is the solution:


    /**
     * Generates a random boolean value.
     *
     * @return the random boolean
     * @since 3.5
     */
    public static boolean nextBoolean() {
        return random().nextBoolean();
    }

    /**
     * Generates an array of random bytes.
     *
     * @param count
     *            the size of the returned array
     * @return the random byte array
     * @throws IllegalArgumentException if {@code count} is negative
     */
    public static byte[] nextBytes(final int count) {
        Validate.isTrue(count >= 0, "Count cannot be negative.");

        final byte[] result = new byte[count];
        random().nextBytes(result);
        return result;
    }

    /**
     * Generates a random double within 0 - Double.MAX_VALUE.
     *
     * @return the random double
     * @see #nextDouble(double, double)
     * @since 3.5
     */
    public static double nextDouble() {
        return nextDouble(0, Double.MAX_VALUE);
    }

    /**
     * Generates a random double within the specified range.
     *
     * @param startInclusive
     *            the smallest value that can be returned, must be non-negative
     * @param endExclusive
     *            the upper bound (not included)
     * @throws IllegalArgumentException
     *             if {@code startInclusive > endExclusive} or if
     *             {@code startInclusive} is negative
     * @return the random double
     */
    public static double nextDouble(final double startInclusive, final double endExclusive) {
        Validate.isTrue(endExclusive >= startInclusive,
                "Start value must be smaller or equal to end value.");
        Validate.isTrue(startInclusive >= 0, "Both range values must be non-negative.");

        if (startInclusive == endExclusive) {
            return startInclusive;
        }

        return startInclusive + ((endExclusive - startInclusive) * random().nextDouble());
    }

    /**
     * Generates a random float within 0 - Float.MAX_VALUE.
     *
     * @return the random float
     * @see #nextFloat(float, float)
     * @since 3.5
     */
    public static float nextFloat() {
        return nextFloat(0, Float.MAX_VALUE);
    }

    /**
     * Generates a random float within the specified range.
     *
     * @param startInclusive
     *            the smallest value that can be returned, must be non-negative
     * @param endExclusive
     *            the upper bound (not included)
     * @throws IllegalArgumentException
     *             if {@code startInclusive > endExclusive} or if
     *             {@code startInclusive} is negative
     * @return the random float
     */
    public static float nextFloat(final float startInclusive, final float endExclusive) {
        Validate.isTrue(endExclusive >= startInclusive,
                "Start value must be smaller or equal to end value.");
        Validate.isTrue(startInclusive >= 0, "Both range values must be non-negative.");

        if (startInclusive == endExclusive) {
            return startInclusive;
        }

        return startInclusive + ((endExclusive - startInclusive) * random().nextFloat());
    }

    /**
     * Generates a random int within 0 - Integer.MAX_VALUE.
     *
     * @return the random integer
     * @see #nextInt(int, int)
     * @since 3.5
     */
    public static int nextInt() {
        return nextInt(0, Integer.MAX_VALUE);
    }

    /**
     * Generates a random integer within the specified range.
     *
     * @param startInclusive
     *            the smallest value that can be returned, must be non-negative
     * @param endExclusive
     *            the upper bound (not included)
     * @throws IllegalArgumentException
     *             if {@code startInclusive > endExclusive} or if
     *             {@code startInclusive} is negative
     * @return the random integer
     */
    public static int nextInt(final int startInclusive, final int endExclusive) {
        Validate.isTrue(endExclusive >= startInclusive,
                "Start value must be smaller or equal to end value.");
        Validate.isTrue(startInclusive >= 0, "Both range values must be non-negative.");

        if (startInclusive == endExclusive) {
            return startInclusive;
        }

        return startInclusive + random().nextInt(endExclusive - startInclusive);
    }

    /**
     * Generates a random long within 0 - Long.MAX_VALUE.
     *
     * @return the random long
     * @see #nextLong(long, long)
     * @since 3.5
     */
    public static long nextLong() {
        return nextLong(Long.MAX_VALUE);
    }

    /**
     * Generates a {@code long} value between 0 (inclusive) and the specified
     * value (exclusive).
     *
     * @param n Bound on the random number to be returned.  Must be positive.
     * @return a random {@code long} value between 0 (inclusive) and {@code n}
     * (exclusive).
     */
    private static long nextLong(final long n) {
        // Extracted from o.a.c.rng.core.BaseProvider.nextLong(long)
        long bits;
        long val;
        do {
            bits = random().nextLong() >>> 1;
            val  = bits % n;
        } while (bits - val + (n - 1) < 0);

        return val;
    }

    /**
     * Generates a random long within the specified range.
     *
     * @param startInclusive
     *            the smallest value that can be returned, must be non-negative
     * @param endExclusive
     *            the upper bound (not included)
     * @throws IllegalArgumentException
     *             if {@code startInclusive > endExclusive} or if
     *             {@code startInclusive} is negative
     * @return the random long
     */
    public static long nextLong(final long startInclusive, final long endExclusive) {
        Validate.isTrue(endExclusive >= startInclusive,
                "Start value must be smaller or equal to end value.");
        Validate.isTrue(startInclusive >= 0, "Both range values must be non-negative.");

        if (startInclusive == endExclusive) {
            return startInclusive;
        }

        return startInclusive + nextLong(endExclusive - startInclusive);
    }

    private static ThreadLocalRandom random() {
        return ThreadLocalRandom.current();
    }

    /**
     * {@link RandomUtils} instances should NOT be constructed in standard
     * programming. Instead, the class should be used as
     * {@code RandomUtils.nextBytes(5);}.
     * <p>
     * This constructor is public to permit tools that require a JavaBean
     * instance to operate.
     * </p>
     */
    public RandomUtils() {
    }

3. Other solutions

In Java, there are several ways to generate random numbers using different classes and methods. Here are some common approaches:

1. Using java.util.Random

The Random class is a part of the java.util package and is used to generate pseudo-random numbers.

import java.util.Random;

public class RandomNumberGenerator {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Random random = new Random();
        
        // Generate a random integer
        int randomInt = random.nextInt();
        
        // Generate a random integer within a specific range (from 0 to 99)
        int randomIntRange = random.nextInt(100);
        
        // Generate a random double
        double randomDouble = random.nextDouble();
        
        // Generate a random boolean
        boolean randomBoolean = random.nextBoolean();
        
        // Print the random numbers
        System.out.println("Random Integer: " + randomInt);
        System.out.println("Random Integer (0-99): " + randomIntRange);
        System.out.println("Random Double: " + randomDouble);
        System.out.println("Random Boolean: " + randomBoolean);
    }
}

2. Using java.util.concurrent.ThreadLocalRandom

The ThreadLocalRandom class is a subclass of Random that provides better performance when used in concurrent programs.

import java.util.concurrent.ThreadLocalRandom;

public class ThreadLocalRandomExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Generate a random integer
        int randomInt = ThreadLocalRandom.current().nextInt();
        
        // Generate a random double
        double randomDouble = ThreadLocalRandom.current().nextDouble();
        
        // Print the random numbers
        System.out.println("Random Integer: " + randomInt);
        System.out.println("Random Double: " + randomDouble);
    }
}

3. Using Math.random()

The Math.random() method returns a double value with a positive sign, greater than or equal to 0.0, and less than 1.0.

public class MathRandomExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Generate a random double between 0.0 (inclusive) and 1.0 (exclusive)
        double randomDouble = Math.random();
        
        // Print the random number
        System.out.println("Random Double: " + randomDouble);
    }
}

4. Using SecureRandom for Cryptographic Purposes

The SecureRandom class is used for generating a stream of cryptographically strong pseudo-random numbers.

import java.security.SecureRandom;

public class SecureRandomExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        SecureRandom secureRandom = new SecureRandom();
        
        // Generate a random integer
        int randomInt = secureRandom.nextInt();
        
        // Print the random number
        System.out.println("Cryptographically Strong Random Integer: " + randomInt);
    }
}

Choosing the Right Method:

  • Use java.util.Random when you need a simple pseudo-random number generator for general purposes.
  • Use java.util.concurrent.ThreadLocalRandom when you’re working in a multi-threaded environment and want to avoid contention.
  • Use Math.random() when you need a simple random double and don’t require integers or other types.
  • Use java.security.SecureRandom when you need a cryptographically strong random number, such as for security-related operations.

Each method has its use case, and the choice depends on the requirements of your application.

4. Summary

In this post, I demonstrated how to generate random numbers using java. That’s it, thanks for your reading.