RandomExtensions

What is it

This is just a collection of C# extension methods for System.Random class. With their help you easily can:

• get random long integer value
• get random DateTime/Date value
• choose random item from the list
• throw virtual dice and/or darts

What are they for

These methods are useful for generating data tasks. If you are starting a new project that should work with a lot of data which doesn't exist yet, the easiest way is to generate some virtual data for testing purposes. That's when RandomExtensions collection comes in handy.

Note: if you need some secure randomizer, look up elsewhere: these methods are based on standard unsecure methods of System.Random class.

How to use them

In the src/RandomExtensionsExample folder, there is a working example with comments provided.

Here are some [edited] code snippets:

Date generating

Random _random = new Random();
// Date of birth is a date between 1/1/1800 and a day that was 25 years ago
DateTime birthFrom = new DateTime(1800, 1, 1);
DateTime birthTo = DateTime.Now.AddYears(-25);
DateTime birthDate = _random.NextDate(birthFrom, birthTo);

Choosing random item from an array

Random _random = new Random();
string[] _lastNames = { "Johnson", "King", "Verne", "Hawk", "Sterling", "Stout", "Webster", "Knight", "Aston", "Anderson" };
string lastName = _random.NextItem(_lastNames);

Throwing dice and darts

Random _random = new Random();
string[] _firstNames = { "John", "Rex", "Andrew", "Jonathan", "Stephen", "Frederick", "Louis", "Matthew" };
string middleName = null;

// 1/3 persons to have a middle name
if (_random.HitBullsEye(3))
{
    // in 3 of 10 cases middle name is just a letter (like Jerome K. Jerome)
    middleName = _random.IsTrueWithProbability(0.3)
        ? $"{(char)('A' + _random.Next(0, 26))}."
        : _random.NextItem(_firstNames);
}

What if some very useful method is missing

Simply tell me of you idea or try to write it by yourself.