# random

## Category
Random

## Arity
**Unary** — `random <max>`.

```
random <number>
```

## Description
Returns a random floating-point number in the range `[0, max)`. The value is >= 0 and < max. Uses a **thread-safe** random number generator (internal lock). Auto-unwraps `shared` values.

## How It Works
Uses a shared `System.Random` instance with internal locking for thread safety. Generates a `double` in `[0.0, max)`. The lock ensures correct behavior under concurrent access but may be a contention point under heavy multi-threaded use.

## Usage

### Basic random
```sqf
_dice = random 6;              // 0.0 to 5.999...
_roll = floor random 6;        // integer 0 to 5
_roll = floor random 6 + 1;    // integer 1 to 6
```

### Random range
```sqf
// Random between min and max
_randInRange = _min + random (_max - _min);
```

### Probability check
```sqf
if (random 100 < 30) then {    // 30% chance
    spawnRareLoot();
};
```

### Random position jitter
```sqf
_x = _baseX + random _width;
_y = _baseY + random _height;
```

### Random angle
```sqf
_angle = random 360;
_rad = _angle * 3.14159265 / 180;
```

## Thread Safety
**Thread-safe** — internal lock protects the RNG state. Safe to call from any scheduler concurrently. Note: lock contention may occur under extreme multi-threaded load.

## See Also
- [selectRandom](selectRandom.md) — random element from array
- [selectRandomWeighted](selectRandomWeighted.md) — weighted random pick
- [floor](floor.md) — convert to integer