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### 8.198 `RAND` — Real pseudo-random number

Description:
  `RAND(FLAG)` returns a pseudo-random number from a uniform distribution between 0 and 1. If FLAG is 0, the next number in the current sequence is returned; if FLAG is 1, the generator is restarted by `CALL SRAND(0)`; if FLAG has any other value, it is used as a new seed with `SRAND`.

  This intrinsic routine is provided for backwards compatibility with GNU Fortran 77. It implements a simple modulo generator as provided by `g77`. For new code, one should consider the use of RANDOM_NUMBER as it implements a superior algorithm.

Standard:
  GNU extension
Class:
  Function
Syntax:
  `RESULT = RAND(I)`
Arguments:

  I | Shall be a scalar `INTEGER` of kind 4.

Return value:
  The return value is of `REAL` type and the default kind.
Example:

                program test_rand
                  integer,parameter :: seed = 86456

                  call srand(seed)
                  print *, rand(), rand(), rand(), rand()
                  print *, rand(seed), rand(), rand(), rand()
                end program test_rand

See also:
  SRAND, RANDOM_NUMBER