Shuffle Parameter - Shuffling Data, a Deck or a List

Note that we will look at data parameters later in this document.

You can create a shuffle parameter from an existing Data parameter, Deck parameter or List parameter.

$p=data(5,6,7,9,12)

$s=shuffle($p)

$s will contain a shuffled version of $p

You can also create shuffled versions of data parameters which contain text.

$p=data("x2-4","2x2-3","-x2+7","-2x2-3)

$s=shuffle($p)

$s will contain the three functions in a shuffled state.

Shuffling data parameters could, for example, be used to create a randomly shuffled set of answers to a question. This might be useful for randomised multi-choice questions.

Using Shuffle Parameters with Decks

Deck parameters contain a fixed list of all 52 cards in a standard deck of cards. Often, you will want to shuffle the deck to create a random list.

$d=deck()

$s=shuffle($d)

$s will contain a shuffled deck of cards.

Using Shuffle Parameters with Lists

Note that this section uses the $s[] reference notation that is discussed later in this document.

Data parameters and list parameters are almost identical. The only difference is that a data parameter will report all values at once where a list parameter will only report the current (randomly selected) value.

If you wish to shuffle a list parameter, you need to force the parameter to report all values at once.

$p=list(5,6,7,9,12)

$s=shuffle($p)

In this example, $s will only contain ONE value from $p

$p=list(5,6,7,9,12)

$s=shuffle($p[])

In this example, $s will only contain a shuffled list of ALL values from $p