Random rows and columns in tables

Authoring Inform 7
1

Good morning, all:

I am trying to choose random row in a table and then a random column associated with that row and then print that row/column combination.

The following code below does not compile, I am just including it as an example of how I have tried to approach the problem. Actually, the first three lines compile just fine. Anyway, what I have is:

carry out singing:
	choose a random row in the Table of Radio Songs;
	let N be the title entry;
	say "[N]";
	choose a random column in the table of radio songs;
	say "[random column in the table of radio songs]";

I also tried:

carry out singing:
	choose a random row in the Table of Radio Songs;
	let N be the title entry;
	say "[N]";
	choose a random column entry of N;
	say "[column entry]";

I can’t figure out how to choose the column associated with the row.

As always, your help is greatly appreciated. My
CREDITS list is consistenly growing…

Thank you!

2

Unfortunately, there’s no way to choose a random column. Columns can have different types, and expressions in I7 always have to have one specific type.

As a workaround, you can put a list in a table column, and choose a random entry from that.

1 Like
3

That’s weird but I suppose it makes some sense looked at through that lens. Thanks, as always, Draconis!

4

You can also say something like

choose a random row in the foo table;
if a random number from 1 to 5 is:
  -- 1: decide on the col1 entry;
  -- 2: decide on the col2 entry;
  -- 3: decide on the col3 entry;
  -- 4: decide on the col4 entry;
  -- 5: decide on the col5 entry;

As long as all five named columns have the same type, this will work.

(Code not tested; syntax may not be quite right.)

5

Thank you, I thought about this but wasn’t sure how to code it.

Thank you, Zarf!

6

Actually, if you just want to print out the randomly-chosen cell, this is technically possible.

7

Yes, that’s what I’m interested in!

8

It’s kind of involved. In all honesty, you’re probably better off re-configuring the data structure of your table. Can you describe it (or something analogous to it) here?