Generating Random Numbers in FORTRAN

 Last reviewed: July 19, 1995
Article ID: Q27211
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft FORTRAN for MS-DOS, versions 4.0, 4.01, 4.1, 5.0, 5.1

Microsoft FORTRAN provides a random number generator in versions 5.0, 5.01, and 5.1. It is documented on pages 272-273 of the Microsoft FORTRAN "Reference" manual for versions 5.0 and 5.1. Even though previous versions of Microsoft FORTRAN do not provide a random number generation function, there are at least two methods to generate random numbers in FORTRAN versions 4.0, 4.01, and 4.1.

The DEMORAN.FOR file demonstrates a uniform random-number generator for FORTRAN. DEMORAN.FOR is distributed on the Utilities and Source Code Disk (disk 3 or 6) in FORTRAN versions 4.0 and 4.01 and on the Setup disk for version 4.1. Comments at the beginning of the DEMORAN.FOR file provide documentation.

The other method involves using the mixed-language programming capabilities of Microsoft FORTRAN. Call a Microsoft C or QuickC run-time library to access the rand() function in the library routines.

Additional reference words: kbinf 4.00 4.01 4.10 5.00 5.10
KBCategory: kbprg
KBSubcategory: FORTLngIss

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Last reviewed: July 19, 1995
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