RANDOM

Returns a uniformly-distributed random DOUBLE PRECISION value x, where 0 <= x < 1.

Typical pseudo-random generators accept a seed, which is set to generate a reproducible pseudo-random sequence. Vertica, however, distributes SQL processing over a cluster of nodes, where each node generates its own independent random sequence.

Results depending on RANDOM are not reproducible because the work might be divided differently across nodes. Therefore, Vertica automatically generates truly random seeds for each node each time a request is executed and does not provide a mechanism for forcing a specific seed.

Behavior type

Syntax

RANDOM()

Examples

In the following example, RANDOM returns a float ≥ 0 and < 1.0:

SELECT RANDOM();
      random
-------------------
 0.211625560652465
(1 row)