Scalar function
Aliases: random
The zero-argument function returns a non-NULL value.
Syntax
Scalar
Arguments
Takes no arguments.
Returns
- Type: default: DOUBLE; snowflake: BIGINT
- Possible values: DOUBLE values in [0, 1) outside Snowflake; the full signed BIGINT range in Snowflake.
- NULL behavior: The zero-argument function returns a non-NULL value.
Properties
Usage notes
- The function generates a value per row. Repeated evaluations can produce different values.
Examples
A variable value
- The source dialect determines the return type.
Variable result: The value changes between evaluations. Outside Snowflake dialect it is a DOUBLE in [0, 1); in Snowflake dialect it is a signed BIGINT.
Limitations
- This function takes no arguments. A seed argument is not supported.
- In the Snowflake dialect, the result is BIGINT even when query tools report DOUBLE. Other dialects return DOUBLE.
Last modified on October 15, 2026