# selectRandom

## Category
Random

## Arity
**Unary** — `selectRandom <array>`.

```
selectRandom <array>
```

## Description
Picks and returns a **random element** from the array. Each element has equal probability. Returns `nil` if the array is empty.

## How It Works
Generates a random index from `0` to `count-1` using the thread-safe RNG, then returns `array[index]`. All elements have uniform probability.

## Usage

### Basic random pick
```sqf
_color = selectRandom ["red", "green", "blue"];
_sound = selectRandom _soundArray;
```

### Random spawn position
```sqf
_spawnPos = selectRandom _spawnPoints;
```

### Random AI behavior
```sqf
_behavior = selectRandom ["patrol", "guard", "idle", "search"];
_unit setBehavior _behavior;
```

### Empty array guard
```sqf
_result = selectRandom _arr;
if (isNil "_result") then {
    systemChat "No items available";
};
```

### Dice table simulation
```sqf
_lootTable = ["common", "common", "common", "common", "rare", "epic"];
_loot = selectRandom _lootTable;  // 4/6 common, 1/6 rare, 1/6 epic
```

## Thread Safety
ReadOnly on the array — only reads the array content. The internal RNG is thread-safe. Array must be accessible from current scheduler (frozen OK, mutable owned OK).

## See Also
- [random](random.md) — random float
- [selectRandomWeighted](selectRandomWeighted.md) — weighted random pick
- [select](select.md) — deterministic element access
- [count](count.md) — array length