math.random always generating the same number?

[Eamonn]

It isn't just me having this problem. My friend is having the exact same problem. So, I thought I'd ask the community what might be wrong.

The built-in Lua "math.random()" function usually works fine for me. My game "Mr. BallGuy" relies on it. That's how I randomly generate the balls. But now, for some reason, the following function always generates "0" for some reason. I've checked this using love.graphics.print to print the values of the X and Y position for the platform. Here it is:

Code: Select all

objects.platforms[objects.platforms.currentPlatform].x = math.random(width - objects.platforms[objects.platforms.currentPlatform].w)


objects.platforms[objects.platforms.currentPlatform].y = math.random(height - objects.platforms[objects.platforms.currentPlatform].h)

Me and my friend have both tried using "math.randomseed(os.time())", but it doesn't work. My friend isn't using LÖVE, he's making a command-line Random Name Generator, and he said he needs math.random for it. So, it's not a LÖVE problem.

Anyone got any ideas on what might be the issue?

Thanks!

File: https://www.dropbox.com/s/43edi26334sb9lr/Game.love

[Plu]

What specific number is it generating? You are only supplying one argument which means it's generating a whole number between 1 and your upper bound.

[Eamonn]

It's generating 0 in both cases. I've tried providing it 0 and my other argument and it still produces 0 for some unknown reason.

[veethree]

And you're sure that this

Code: Select all

width - objects.platforms[objects.platforms.currentPlatform].w

Doesn't result in 0?


Also, You should know this by now, We can help you more if you provide a .love, Or at least some context

[Eamonn]

And you're sure that this

Code: Select all

width - objects.platforms[objects.platforms.currentPlatform].w

Doesn't result in 0?

Also, You should know this by now, We can help you more if you provide a .love, Or at least some context

No, my problem is that it does result in 0.

I would have provided a .love, but I didn't think it was necessary because it was only those 2 pieces of code. Anyway, I'll update the post with a .love.

[bartbes]

He's not asking if the math.random returns 0, he's asking whether the argument to it returns 0.

[veethree]

Yeah what bartbes said, If the argument is 0, math.random will be generating a random number between 0 and 0. Which will evidently be 0.

[DaedalusYoung]

This is why I always implement a debug function in my projects. Print the values width and objects.platforms[objects.platforms.currentPlatform].w to screen. Then you can see if maybe there's an error somewhere else in your code, making them both the same number.

[Jeeper]

This is why I always implement a debug function in my projects. Print the values width and objects.platforms[objects.platforms.currentPlatform].w to screen. Then you can see if maybe there's an error somewhere else in your code, making them both the same number.

Or print it to the console (since its made for that).

[bartbes]

Also it doesn't have to be 0 per se, just less than one, because math.random returns integers when passed at least one argument.