------------ RNDNUM13.TXT ------------ Random Numbers, version 1.3 Distributed as Freeware from Spyder Software May 1995 INSTALLATION: You will need the following five files to run Random Numbers: RANDNUM.EXE (the executable program file) CMDIALOG.VBX (custom control for Common Dialog controls) SPIN.VBX (custom control for Spin controls) THREED.VBX (custom control for 3-D controls) VBRUN300.DLL (Visual Basic 3.0 run-time DLL; sorry, this file is not included in the distribution ZIP file) You may put the RANDNUM.EXE file anywhere on your system; however, CMDIALOG.VBX, SPIN.VBX and THREED.VBX need to be in your \WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory. The VBRUN300.DLL file is required to run programs (such as this one) that have been created with Microsoft's Visual Basic, version 3.0. The VBRUN300.DLL file is rather large (389k) and thus is not included in the distribution ZIP file. VBRUN300.DLL may be downloaded from CompuServe, America Online, the Internet, and many local bbs's. VBRUN300.DLL should also be in your \WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory. USING RANDOM NUMBERS: To run Random Numbers, simply input values for the Low Value, High Value, and number of Iterations in the respective text boxes. You may either manually input values of your choice or you may click on the spin buttons to advance or decrement the values within the above ranges.Default values are Low Value = 1, High Value = 10, and Iterations = 1. Values must be integers that follow the following rules: 1. Low Value may not be greater than High Value 2. High Value may not be less than Low Value 3. number of Iterations must be non-negative You will receive an error message if you attempt to enter values that violate the above rules. Once you have inputted the desired values, click on the "Generate Random Numbers" button. Random Numbers will beep and then display a set of random numbers within the given range. The number of random numbers generated will equal the number of Iterations you chose. If you want to generate a set of Unique numbers, simply click on the box labeled "Unique Values in Set". This feature is useful for generating lottery numbers. NOTE: You will receive an error message if you attempt to generate a unique set in which the number of Iterations exceeds the High Value. The Options menu gives you the ability to change output window's font. In addition, you may change the background color as well as the color of the output window's font. After generating a set of random numbers, you can then print the set to your printer or copy the set to the Clipboard. To print, simply click 'File' on the menu and then select 'Print' (alternately Ctrl+P). To copy, just click 'Edit' on the menu and then select 'Copy' (alternately Ctrl+C). Please note that the Print and Copy options are not available until after you have generated a set of random numbers. REVISION HISTORY: Version 1.0: The first version of this program was released in April 1995. Version 1.1: Fixed a bug that occurred when attempting to 'Generate Unique Values' where the number of iterations exceeded the number of possible unique vales within the given range of numbers. (For example, you will now get an error message if you attempt to generate 7 unique values with a low value of 1 and a high value of 6.) Version 1.2: Released in May 1995. Added the ability to print out a generated set of numbers. Thanks to Alan Susee of Fort Kent, ME for this suggestion. The print feature also includes an option to invoke the Common Dialog for Printer Setup. Also, added the ability to copy a set of generated numbers to the Clipboard. Version 1.3: Released in May 1995. Added options to allow the user to change the font and colors of the output window, and added the ability to save the generated numbers to a text file. Fixed a bug that was disallowing the generation of a value of 0 when the 'Unique Values in Set' option was selected and the range of values to be generated included 0. Fixed bugs in the behavior of the Spin buttons that occurred when spinning down on the High Value or spinning up on the Low Value. (The bug was causing the High Value to jump down to the same value as the Low Value or the Low Value to jump up to the value of the High Value when the spin buttons were pressed.) Also added various error traps to avoid invalid input errors. COMMENTS?: Random Numbers is distributed as freeware. This means it was written purely to facilitate my own learning of the Visual Basic programming environment. If you like Random Numbers or have a constructive idea for a future enhancement, please send your comments to me via e-mail to CompuServe id # 74511,2226 or via the Internet to brenth@tyrell.net. If you really like Random Numbers, please send me a picture post card of your home town. My snail-mail address is: Spyder Software Attention: Brent 14613 West 65th Terrace Shawnee, Kansas 66216 U.S.A.