P5.js: Random is not defined

[MDeter67]

Most appropriate sub-area of p5.js?

• [ ] Accessibility (Web Accessibility)
• [let r = random (0,180;)] Color
• [ ] Core/Environment/Rendering
• [ ] Data
• [ ] Dom
• [ ] Events
• [ ] Image
• [ ] IO
• [ ] Math
• [ ] Typography
• [ ] Utilities
• [ ] WebGL
• [ ] Other (specify if possible)

Details about the bug:

I am using macOS Catalina 10.15 with Microsoft Edge Version 85.0.564.41. When I try to run random in an argument such as:

let r = random(0,180);

the computer prints out "random was not defined" at the end of the statement.

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[anchnk]

Hello @MDeter67,

Thank you for opening this issue.

• Do you have any minimal code example that would allow us to reproduce the problem?
• Are you trying to use the random function outside p5 functions (i.e before setup())?

If yes, I would suggest that you have a look at this article from the wiki.
This section is also worth reading, especially if you want to use p5 with other JavaScript libraries.

By default, you need to use a function such as random within a p5 function.

So the following code won't work (throwing the error you reported):

let r = random(0, 180); // random isn't accessible outside p5's functions

function setup() {
  createCanvas(400, 400);
}

function draw() {
  background(r);
}

But this should work:

let r;

function setup() {
  r = random(0, 180);
  createCanvas(400, 400);
}

function draw() {
  background(r);
}

Hope it helps, feel free to add any additional info if my answer isn't helping.