This reference is for Processing 2.0+. If you have a previous version, use the reference included with your software. If you see any errors or have suggestions, please let us know. If you prefer a more technical reference, visit the Processing Javadoc.

Name | ### randomGaussian()
Examples |
    for (int y = 0; y < 100; y++) {
      float x = randomGaussian() * 15;
      line(50, y, 50 + x, y);
    }
    float[] distribution = new float[360];

    void setup() {
      size(100, 100);
      for (int i = 0; i < distribution.length; i++) {
        distribution[i] = int(randomGaussian() * 15);
      }
    }

    void draw() {
      background(204);

      translate(width/2, width/2);

      for (int i = 0; i < distribution.length; i++) {
        rotate(TWO_PI/distribution.length);
        stroke(0);
        float dist = abs(distribution[i]);
        line(0, 0, dist, 0);
      }
    }
Description | Returns a float from a random series of numbers having a mean of 0 and standard deviation of 1. Each time the randomGaussian() function is called, it returns a number fitting a Gaussian, or normal, distribution. There is theoretically no minimum or maximum value that randomGaussian() might return. Rather, there is just a very low probability that values far from the mean will be returned; and a higher probability that numbers near the mean will be returned.
Syntax |
    randomGaussian()
Returns | float
Related | random() noise()

Updated on May 19, 2014 05:30:00pm PDT