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JavaScript JavaScript Basics (Retired) Working With Numbers Create a random number

Posted by seattler
seattler
2,067 Points

Dave M, used Math.floor(Math.random()*6) vs. parseInt(Math.random()*6) to mimic a 6 sided dice. Both produce same rght?

I know this lesson was meant to expand awareness of other methods. I was just curious if there was an advantage to using one method or the other. 

Math.floor(Math.random()*6) // converts decimal values to integers 

parseInt(Math.random()*6)  // coverts the randomly generated # to integer.

I'm not sure if this questions makes sense but I'm seeking to better understand both of these methods.

1 Answer

miikis
miikis
44,957 Points

Hey Trish,

Even though both those expressions produce the same output, the one Dave used is more ... semantic, I think is the word.

parseInt()'s primary function is to convert String data types into Integer datatypes. It was not meant to round a number down to the nearest Integer. However, Math.floor()'s explicit purpose is to round a number down to the nearest Integer.

It's really a question of "appropriateness" — JavaScript is quirky enough without trying to use native functions to do other native function's jobs.