I know it works, because I'm using it.
I think if you do a search in nph_build.cgi for "random" you'll find the places in the code where the numbers are passed or generated.
You'll see a block of code like:
Code:
$OUT{random} = rand (10000);
$OUT{random1} = rand (10000);
$OUT{random2} = rand (10000);
$OUT{random3} = rand (10000);
What that does, is make those three variables available. It assigns them a value that can be reused.
You can also do something like:
Code:
my $banner_random2 = \sub { return int rand (64000); };
What that does is provide a reference to the subroutine, and thus every time you use $banner_random2 you'll get a _different_ number.
This is not good for where you want the same number to be used for both the IMG and A links, which is why you would make the assignment to $random1 which can then be re-used. Each time the subroutine is called, $random1 is reiniitalized, but it maintains the same value for _each_ page.
Help?