random-range-generator

name	random-range-generator
description	Generate random numbers within a user-provided range. Use for random integer selection, sampling, and quick scripts that need min/max bounds validation.
argument-hint	Provide min and max, optionally count and uniqueness requirement

Random Range Generator

Generate one or more random integers in an inclusive range [min, max].

When to Use

• You need a random integer between two bounds.
• You need multiple random values from a range.
• You want reproducible output by optionally seeding your generator.

Inputs

• min: lower bound (integer)
• max: upper bound (integer)
• count (optional): how many numbers to generate (default: 1)
• unique (optional): whether values must be unique (default: false)

Procedure

1. Parse user input and normalize to integers.
2. Validate bounds and generation mode.
3. Choose command(s) based on shell and platform.
4. Run the command and return results.
5. Verify results satisfy the requested constraints.

Decision Points

1. Bounds order:

• If min > max, swap values and note that normalization happened.

2. Uniqueness feasibility:

• If unique = true, require count <= (max - min + 1).
• If infeasible, return an error and ask for adjusted inputs.

3. Output size:

• If count = 1, return a single value.
• If count > 1, return one value per line for easy reuse.

Commands

zsh/bash (single value)

min=<min>; max=<max>; echo $((RANDOM % (max - min + 1) + min))

zsh/bash (multiple values, allow duplicates)

min=<min>; max=<max>; count=<count>
for ((i=0; i<count; i++)); do
  echo $((RANDOM % (max - min + 1) + min))
done

zsh/bash (multiple unique values)

min=<min>; max=<max>; count=<count>
jot "$((max - min + 1))" "$min" "$max" | sort -R | head -n "$count"

PowerShell (single value)

Get-Random -Minimum <min> -Maximum (<max> + 1)

PowerShell (multiple values)

1..<count> | ForEach-Object { Get-Random -Minimum <min> -Maximum (<max> + 1) }

Completion Checks

• Every generated number n satisfies min <= n <= max.
• Output count equals requested count.
• If unique = true, no duplicates are present.
• Any normalization (such as swapped bounds) is explicitly reported.

Example Prompts

• Generate a random number between 10 and 25.
• Generate 5 random numbers between -3 and 3.
• Generate 8 unique random numbers between 1 and 20.