I disagree with Jerry here. Using random(20) for sorting would give a different 
order with "numeric" vs. without, all else being equal, but it would still be 
just as random. Just because most of the random(20) results start with the 
character "1" doesn't mean they aren't unique or that they are more likely.

So using "numeric" is different but just as bad. A big number is still the best 
idea, if not so pretty.

How about if random() with no parameter returned an integer between 1 and the 
maximum integer? It might be different on different platforms, but still the 
best that can be done.

.Jerry

On May 23, 2013, at 11:14 AM, Jerry Jensen <j...@jhj.com> wrote:

> Thanks for pointing that out! I've got some checking to do of old code.
> Imagine the weighting that would be caused by random(20)...
> 
> .Jerry
> 
> On May 23, 2013, at 9:37 AM, Robert Brenstein <r...@robelko.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I wonder why nobody suggests adding "numeric" parameter to random sorts like 
>> above. After all, the sort column is a number but without that parameter is 
>> sorted as ascii text not numeric value.
>> 
>> Robert
> 
> 
> 
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