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Generating a random 3 digit number - Java 1.4

Hi all,

What is the cleanest way to generate a random 3 digit number in Java 1.4 ?

java.util.Random can generate 0 - 999 but doesn't seem to have anything in it's api to support generating only 3 digits.

Any suggestions?

boing40001

that means that you're looking for a number between 100 and 999
just add a check on the generated number by java.util.Random and, if lower than 100, generate a new number

Sandy209

ASKER

Hi boing40001,

Not necessarily, it would be a more complete solution if say 001 was an option. Although for lack of a better solution it would acceptable as a last resort.

robthewolf

001 is the same as 1 numerically. Its only different if you want to print it/ use it as a string.
in that case stick with random
and use
String.format("%03d", randomNumber);
to make sure that it always has 3 digits

boing40001

if you want codes also like 001 then why don't you generate 3 numbers in interval 0..9 and then join the three numbers ?

Sandy209

ASKER

@robthewolf - String.format is Java 1.5

@boing40001 - I considered that solution myself, i was just hoping for something a little less hacked :-)

robthewolf

you can use sprintf in exactly the same way in terms of formatting output. That must be available in 1.4

Sandy209

ASKER

what do i need to import to use sprinf(... ) ?

robthewolf

i really dont know if these are in 1.4 or not but try either
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/docs/api/java/util/Formatter.html
or
System.out.printf();

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Pramod Kumar

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Sandy209

ASKER

I think this is a clean as we can expect in Java 1.4