How to get a random value from a string array in android?

Question

In my values.xml file, I have an array, like this;

<string-array name="animals-array">
    <item>Cow</item>
    <item>Pig</item>
    <item>Bird</item>
    <item>Sheep</item>
</string-array>

In my app, I want to get one of these values at random, but I am unsure how to do this. I have looked at

and this

But how do I retrieve a random item from my list that is defined in the values.xml file?

score 62 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 22 '12 at 11:48

62

String[] array = context.getResources().getStringArray(R.array.animals_array);
String randomStr = array[new Random().nextInt(array.length)];

Hope this helps.

answered Jul 22 '12 at 11:48

Egor

@Egor: Shouldn't `String randomStr = array[new Random().nextInt(array.length)];` be `String randomStr = array[new Random().nextInt(array.length - 1)];` to avoid `ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException`? – Osama Mohammed Shaikh Jun 14 '16 at 11:36
1

@OsamaMohammedShaikh, Check the docs: https://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/java/util/Random.html#nextInt(int) – Egor Jun 14 '16 at 11:44
1

Ok it excludes specified value, i.e. n value. I checked Android docs but that was not so clear, so had a doubt. Well thanks for clearing the doubt. – Osama Mohammed Shaikh Jun 14 '16 at 11:48
I want random string but don't want to `repeat`...could you please help...? Thanks...! – VikaS GuttE Feb 22 '19 at 09:12

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 22 '12 at 11:49

1

1. Retrive the Complete String Array from the xml and put it inside an ArrayList using Arrays.asList() method.

2. Use Math.random()*mArr.size() function to get a random number. (mArr is the ArrayList)

3. Then use this random number to get an animal from the ArrayList like

   `myArr.get(myrand);`

4. The reason i suggested the use of ArrayList (ie Collection framework) cause that will give you more flexibility.

answered Jul 22 '12 at 11:49

Kumar Vivek Mitra

This works too, accepted the other answer because it was first – jcw Jul 22 '12 at 12:03

score -1 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 05 '16 at 08:58

-1

String[] myArrayOfStrings = {"one", "two", "three" } 
Random r = new Random();
String myRandString = r.nextInt(myArrayOfStrings.length );

answered Sep 05 '16 at 08:58

Frank Eno

3 Answers3