Random Number Generator Error

Community matplotlib-users
1

Hi,
I wrote a random walk program which you will find below. When I run it from the terminal, it gives error which I am not able to figure out what could be wrong. From the bash shell, I give a command
>python2.4 random.py
It gives error:

··· 
Traceback (most recent call last):

File “random.py”, line 2, in ?
from pylab import *
File “/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/pylab.py”, line 1, in ?
from matplotlib.pylab import *
File “/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/matplotlib/pylab.py”, line 196, in ?
import mlab #so I can override hist, psd, etc…
File “/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/matplotlib/mlab.py”, line 58, in ?
import sys, random
File “/home/ofenerci/workspace/random.py”, line 11, in
?
if (rand() > 0.5):
NameError: name ‘rand’ is not defined
[3] Done gedit random.py

When I write the program step by step inside the python shell or run it inside the python-idle, everything goes smoothly and it doesn’t give any error. I don’t know why gives error, If I run it from the terminal.

thanks,
Ahmet Nurlu

Random.py Program:

from pylab import *

npts=1000
nplot=10
for i in range(0,nplot):

xplot=[]
x=0.0
for i in range(0,npts):
     if (rand() >

0.5):
x=x+1
else:
x=x-1
xplot.append(x)
plot(xplot,‘g’)
hold(True)
show()

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2

ahmet nurlu wrote:

Hi,
I wrote a random walk program which you will find below. When I run it
from the terminal, it gives error which I am not able to figure out what
could be wrong. From the bash shell, I give a command
    >python2.4 random.py
It gives error:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "random.py", line 2, in ?
    from pylab import *
  File "/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/pylab.py", line 1, in ?
    from matplotlib.pylab import *
  File "/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/matplotlib/pylab.py", line 196,
in ?
    import mlab #so I can override hist, psd, etc...
  File "/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/matplotlib/mlab.py", line 58, in ?
    import sys, random
  File "/home/ofenerci/workspace/random.py", line 11, in ?
    if (rand() > 0.5):
NameError: name 'rand' is not defined
[3] Done gedit random.py
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I write the program step by step inside the python shell or run it
inside the python-idle, everything goes smoothly and it doesn't give any
error. I don't know why gives error, If I run it from the terminal.

Python always searches the current directory for modules first. You have named
your file random.py which is the same as the standard library module random.py.
matplotlib.mlab is trying to import the standard library module, but is getting
your instead.

Rename your file to something other than random.py.

···

--
Robert Kern
robert.kern@...287...

"I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma, a harmless enigma
that is made terrible by our own mad attempt to interpret it as though it had
an underlying truth."
  -- Umberto Eco