Specify the smallest and largest integer. The program will provide a random permutation of all of the integers from the smallest to the largest.

One of the most common uses is for "drawing names out of a hat". The random permutation gives the order in which individuals are selected. For example, to draw 50 individual from a population of 1000, first order the names of the individuals alphabetically, say, and number them. Then, generate a random permutation of the integers 1 to 1000. The first 50 elements of the permutation specify the location of the chosen individuals in the orginal list. For example, if the random permutation began 941, 311, 518, then the individuals occupying those positions in the alphabetical list would be the first three in the sample.

The seed for the random number generator (Wichmann and Hill, 1982, as modified by McLeod, 1985) is obtained from the clock of the local computer and is printed at the bottom of the randomization plan. If a seed is included in the request, it overrides the value obtained from the clock and can be used to reproduce or verify a particular permutation.