Random Number but Don't Repeat

Question

Hi,

I would like to generate a random number less than 50, but once that number has been generated I would like it so that it cannot be generated again.

Thanks for the help!

Answer 1

Put the numbers 1-49 in a sortable collection, then sort it in random order; pop each one out of the collection as needed.

Answer 2

Please see: Fisher–Yates shuffle:

public static void shuffle (int[] array) 
{
    Random rng = new Random();       // i.e., java.util.Random.
    int n = array.length;            // The number of items left to shuffle (loop invariant).
    while (n > 1) 
    {
        n--;                         // n is now the last pertinent index
        int k = rng.nextInt(n + 1);  // 0 <= k <= n.
        int tmp = array[k];
        array[k] = array[n];
        array[n] = tmp;
    }
}

Answer 3

Seeing as the question was tagged VB/VB.Net... this is a VB implementation of Mitch's answer.

Public Class Utils

   Public Shared Sub ShuffleArray(ByVal items() As Integer)

      Dim ptr As Integer
      Dim alt As Integer
      Dim tmp As Integer
      Dim rnd As New Random()

      ptr = items.Length

      Do While ptr > 1
         ptr -= 1
         alt = rnd.Next(ptr - 1)
         tmp = items(alt)
         items(alt) = items(ptr)
         items(ptr) = tmp
      Loop

   End Sub

End Class