SQL Tips #28 - Generating Random Numbers for Non-Crypto Usage

RAND() has its problems - this approach generates better-distributed random numbers for non-cryptographic usage.

The Query

declare @rangeStart int = 1
declare @rangeEnd int = 6
declare @rangeSize int = (@rangeEnd - @rangeStart)+1
select (@rangeStart + (ABS(CHECKSUM(NewId())) % @rangeSize)) r

Disclaimer

These queries are provided as a guide, and are by no means perfect. I didn't write all of these - many are collated from MSDN documentation and community sources over the years.

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