Random number function improvement

[RyanWright]

Currently, the random number function in LabVIEW only generates a number between 0 and 1.  More often than not, though, random numbers required by applications must be larger than 1.  It would be really nice if the random number function were improved to allow random numbers to be generated within a user-specified range rather than just between 0 and 1.  It might also be nice if the function were improved to allow the user to be able to specify whether random numbers generated were integers or decimal (floating point) numbers and possibly signed numbers (both integers and decimal numbers).

[altenbach]

Typically you need more than one random number and we already have a rich collection in the signal generation palette to generate entire random arrays that allows for scaling.

Still, I agree that the "dice" could have optional inputs for range and offset, for example. That would simplify things often. (However, it is also trivial to make a custom subVI.) 

One thing I do need once in a while is a gaussian distributed random number with given mean and SD. I made my own using the box muller transform.

[tst]

One shortcut you already have today is the OpenG random VI, which does allow you to specify a range.

[Dragis]

I ran across a use case again today of being able to wire in a fixed-point data type to Random Number and have it generate full-range white noise for that data type.

[Darren]

Available in LabVIEW NXG 1.0. The 'Random Number (Range)' node provides this functionality.