Random number with BASH Scripting
BASH includes a variable called $RANDOM wich generates a random (or more like pseudorandom) integer number between 0 and 32767. Its use is fairly simple:
echo $RANDOM 188
If you need the random number to be within a range use the modulo operator like this:
echo $[($RANDOM % 100)] 17
You can also give the number an offset. The above command gives a number between 0 and 99, but it could be between 1 and 100:
echo $[($RANDOM % 100) + 1] 100
As you see, giving an offset you can have a random number between two bounds. Defining the bounds may be simpler by doing this, to get a random number between 5 and 10:
lowest=5 highest=10 echo $[($RANDOM % ($[$highest - $lowest] + 1)) + $lowest] 7
Now go crazy generating your random numbers, but keep in mind $RANDOM should not be used to generate an encryption key, for that you should use another random number generator.
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