> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://axiom.co/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# rand

> This page explains how to use the rand function in APL.

Use the `rand` function in APL to generate pseudo-random numbers. This function is useful when you want to introduce randomness into your queries. For example, to sample a subset of data, generate test data, or simulate probabilistic scenarios.

## For users of other query languages

If you come from other query languages, this section explains how to adjust your existing queries to achieve the same results in APL.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Splunk SPL users">
    In Splunk SPL, the `random()` function returns a pseudo-random integer between 0 and 2^31-1. You often divide this value to produce a float between 0 and 1. In APL, the `rand()` function directly returns a float in the range `[0, 1)`, so there’s no need to divide or scale.

    <CodeGroup>
      ```sql Splunk example theme={null}
      | eval r=random()/2147483647
      ```

      ```kusto APL equivalent theme={null}
      print r = rand()
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="ANSI SQL users">
    ANSI SQL uses the `RAND()` function to generate a float between 0 and 1. However, SQL typically doesn’t generate a new random value for every row unless you call `RAND()` inside a subquery or use it with a specific expression. In APL, `rand()` behaves like a row-level function and produces a new value for each row automatically.

    <CodeGroup>
      ```sql SQL example theme={null}
      SELECT RAND() as r;
      ```

      ```kusto APL equivalent theme={null}
      print r = rand()
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Usage

### Syntax

```kusto theme={null}
rand()
rand(range)
```

### Parameters

| Name    | Type    | Description                                                                                                                                                           |
| ------- | ------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `range` | integer | Optional: A positive integer that specifies the upper exclusive limit of the range where you want to generate pseudo-random integers. The lower inclusive limit is 0. |

### Returns

Without `range`: A real number in the range between 0 (inclusive) and 1 (exclusive). Each call returns a pseudo-random float.
With `range`: An integer in the range between 0 (inclusive) and `range` (exclusive).

## Example

**Query**

```kusto theme={null}
print random = rand()
```

[Run in Playground](https://play.axiom.co/axiom-play-qf1k/query?initForm=%7B%22apl%22%3A%22print%20random%20%3D%20rand\(\)%22%7D)

**Output**

| \_time               | random             |
| -------------------- | ------------------ |
| 2024-07-10T14:32:00Z | 0.6324890121902683 |