Creating a random link out of all of the links in a document
Using the Math.random() method, we can create a generic random link that uses all of the links in the document as its "ammunition". In other words, a random link that randomly chooses from one of the links on the page- any page the script is on- to go to. Lets see how a script like this is implemented:
<script> function random_all(){ var myrandom=Math.round(Math.random()*(document.links.length-1)) window.location=document.links[myrandom].href } </script>
The above script may be short, but it is very powerful! It can be inserted into any document to instantly create a random link out of all of the links in the document. Before we go any further, lets put the above script in a document and see it in action:
The technique used to create this script is quite simple. By using the length property of the links object, we first generated a random number that falls in the range of 0 and the index number of the last link in the document:
var myrandom= Math.round(Math.random()*(document.links.length-1))
Then by using this random number as an index number to reference a random link in the document:
window.location=document.links[myrandom].href
We create a random link that draws a url out of all of the links in the document!
- Tutorial introduction
- Understanding the two methods of the Math object required to create a random engine
- Creating a random link out of a specified group of links
- Creating a random link out of all of the links in a document
- Looking at other uses of a random engine- simulating a dice throw + Math object summary