Home Forums Article Discussions Article Discussions by Author Discuss content posted by Chris Nowicki Random problems RE: Random problems

  • June 9, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    #1007141

    Mike C (6/9/2009)

    drogers (6/9/2009)

    A minor quibble with the article: the problem is not that RAND() is called multiple times with the same seed, once per row. The problem is that RAND() is only called once per query (just like GETDATE()).

    Another minor quibble - each instance of RAND() is invoked once per query.

    SELECT RAND(), RAND()

    Generates two different random numbers because RAND() is actually called twice. Each RAND() result is repeated for every row of the result set (in this case only one row).

    Heh... correct identification of the problem in 90% of the solution. We know the behavior and the work around. Use the work around.

    --Jeff Moden

    RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
    First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
    ________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

    Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

    Helpful Links:
    How to post code problems
    How to Post Performance Problems
    Create a Tally Function (fnTally)