Shuffling an array

[Lang]

I have created a function that is supposed to shuffle the values in an array, I am having issues though - it doesn't seem to shuffle very well and I'm looking for some insight about how to go about it better.

void shuffle(int* a, int size){
	srand((unsigned)time(0)); 

	for (int i = 0; i < (size-1); ++i) {
        int r = i + (rand() &#37; (size-i)); // Random remaining position.
        int temp = a[i]; a[i] = a[r]; a[r] = temp;
    }
}

By not shuffling very well, I mean that I will frequently get the same result twice in a row.

EDIT

I also came up with this:

void shuffle(int* a, int size){
	srand((unsigned)time(0)); 

	for (int i = 0; i < (size-1); ++i) {
        double x=rand()/(RAND_MAX+1.0);
		int r = (int)(x * (size - 1));
		int temp = a[i]; a[i] = a[r]; a[r] = temp;
    }
}

it works well. Still, I'd like to see suggestions if anyone has any.

Thanks!

[ovidiucucu]

[ Moved thread ]

[JohnW@Wessex]

Still, I'd like to see suggestions if anyone has any.

Use one that's already been written and debugged and part of the C++ specification.

std::random_shuffle

[Paul McKenzie]

I have created a function that is supposed to shuffle the values in an array, I am having issues though - it doesn't seem to shuffle very well and I'm looking for some insight about how to go about it better.

#include <algorithm>
void shuffle(int* a, int size)
{
   std::random_shuffle(a, a + size);
}

Regards,

Paul McKenzie

[Peter_APIIT]

Perfect shuffle is the way to go in case you don't want to use STL.

[GNiewerth]

I also recommend using std::random_shuffle.
The cause of your problem is the srand call at the beginning of your shuffle function. It initializes the rng seed to a pseudo random value. Identical seeds produce identical "random" numbers, so you have to make sure you initialize the seed with different numbers. time( 0 ) returns the number of seconds elapsed sind 1.1.1970, and if your shuffle function takes less than one second the RNG seed may be initialized with the same value it was initialized the call before, resulting in identical random numbers.
Move srand() to the main() function and your problem should be fixed.

[Lang]

using random_shuffle() I always get the same shuffled array returned.

[laserlight]

using random_shuffle() I always get the same shuffled array returned.

You still need to seed with srand(), or provide your own random number generator to random_shuffle().

[ZuK]

using random_shuffle() I always get the same shuffled array returned.

if you use the random_shuffle() implementation that comes with g++ 3.3 you have to implement your own random generator. Calling srand() doesn't help to seed the default random generator.
This was fixed using g++ 4.x .
Kurt

[Peter_APIIT]

Good info.