Probably Really Noob Question

[bpx95]

Okay, so I'm not really THAT noobish at Java, but right now I really feel like it. This has to be some really stupid misconception or something.

Okay, so first of all:

	Random random = new Random();
		for(int i=0; i<10; i++){
			System.out.print(random.nextInt(2)*2);
		}

Returns either 0 or 2, always. Because 0*2 = 0 and 1*2 = 2.

But then when I use it in a for-loop:

Random random = new Random();
		for(int i=0; i<10; i++){
			for(int j=0; j<random.nextInt(2)*2; j++)
				System.out.print("1");
			System.out.println();
		}

It acts as though it returns either 0, 1, or 2. I feel like it has to do maybe with the lack of the "1" possibility in the for-loop. Quite confused indeed. Why is it doing this?

[Junky]

random.nextInt(2)*2

Using that in the condition of a loop is a really bad idea. Everytime it goes around the loop it will generate a different number so you can never guarantee how many times the loop will iterate.

Random random = new Random();
for(int i=0; i<10; i++){
    int end = random.nextInt(2)*2;
    for(int j=0; j<end; j++) {
        System.out.print("1");
    }
    System.out.println();
}

If you change the code to that you should see more consistent results.

[bpx95]

Oh okay. I think I understand what you are saying. So I should generate the number and THEN run the loop, without using random.nextInt(2)*2 in the condition. That makes a lot of sense actually. I'll see if that works.

EDIT: Ah ha! Thanks!