I am wanting to create a batch file that will randomly generate a Hex number that can be used to randomly change the color. I have researched and can not find a way to generate anything other than a decimal number ( sorry to say I am just learning batch files ) here is what I have so far ( again only a decimal random ) setlocal set /a r1=%random% %% 16 color %r1%

I have since created a longer version ..... however if anyone knows a shorter method I am willing to hear it .... this is what I came up with. @echo off setlocal set /a r1=%random% %% 16 :1color =first Hex color character IF %r1%==0 ( set r10=0 ) ELSE ( goto 1color11 ) :1color11 IF %r1%==1 ( Set r10=1 ) ELSE ( goto 1color12 ) :1color12 IF %r1%==2 ( set r10=2 ) ELSE ( goto 1color13 ) :1color13 IF %r1%==3 ( set r10=3 ) ELSE ( goto 1color14 ) :1color14 IF %r1%==4 ( set r10=4 ) ELSE ( goto 1color15 ) :1color15 IF %r1%==5 ( set r10=5 ) ELSE ( goto 1color16 ) :1color16 IF %r1%==6 ( set r10=6 ) ELSE ( goto 1color17 ) :1color17 IF %r1%==7 ( set r10=7 ) ELSE ( goto 1color18 ) :1color18 IF %r1%==8 ( set r10=8 ) ELSE ( goto 1color19 ) :1color19 IF %r1%==9 ( set r10=9 ) ELSE ( goto 1color20 ) :1color20 IF %r1%==10 ( set r10=a ) ELSE ( goto 1color21 ) :1color21 IF %r1%==11 ( set r10=b ) ELSE ( goto 1color22 ) :1color22 IF %r1%==12 ( set r10=c ) ELSE ( goto 1color23 ) :1color23 IF %r1%==13 ( set r10=d ) ELSE ( goto 1color24 ) :1color24 IF %r1%==14 ( set r10=e ) ELSE ( goto 1color25 ) :1color25 IF %r1%==15 ( set r10=f ) ELSE ( goto 2color10 ) :2color=first Hex color character :2color10 set /a r2=%random% %% 16 IF %r2%==0 ( set r20=0 ) ELSE ( goto 2color11 ) :2color11 IF %r2%==1 ( Set r20=1 ) ELSE ( goto 2color12 ) :2color12 IF %r2%==2 ( set r20=2 ) ELSE ( goto 2color13 ) :2color13 IF %r2%==3 ( set r20=3 ) ELSE ( goto 2color14 ) :2color14 IF %r2%==4 ( set r20=4 ) ELSE ( goto 2color15 ) :2color15 IF %r2%==5 ( set r20=5 ) ELSE ( goto 2color16 ) :2color16 IF %r2%==6 ( set r20=6 ) ELSE ( goto 2color17 ) :2color17 IF %r2%==7 ( set r20=7 ) ELSE ( goto 2color18 ) :2color18 IF %r2%==8 ( set r20=8 ) ELSE ( goto 2color19 ) :2color19 IF %r2%==9 ( set r20=9 ) ELSE ( goto 2color20 ) :2color20 IF %r2%==10 ( set r20=a ) ELSE ( goto 2color21 ) :2color21 IF %r2%==11 ( set r20=b ) ELSE ( goto 2color22 ) :2color22 IF %r2%==12 ( set r20=c ) ELSE ( goto 2color23 ) :2color23 IF %r2%==13 ( set r20=d ) ELSE ( goto 2color24 ) :2color24 IF %r2%==14 ( set r20=e ) ELSE ( goto 2color25 ) :2color25 IF %r2%==15 ( set r20=f ) ELSE ( goto randomcheck ) :randomcheck If %r1%==%r2% ( goto 1color ) ELSE ( goto line99 ) :line99 call set r30=%%r10%%%r20%% color %r30%

Here is a different way..... @ECHO OFF setlocal for /l %%a in (0 1 9) do set /%%a=%%a for %%a in ("/10=a" "/11=b" "/12=c" "/13=d" "/14=e" "/15=f") do set %%~a :loop set /a r1=%random% %% 16 call set r1=%%/%r1%%% set /a r2=%random% %% 16 call set r2=%%/%r2%%% if %r1%==%r2% goto loop color %r1%%r2% echo %r1% echo %r2% pause [edit] A better way(no intermediate variables)... @ECHO OFF setlocal :loop set /a r1=%random% %% 16 set /a r2=%random% %% 16 for %%a in ("10=a" "11=b" "12=c" "13=d" "14=e" "15=f") do ( call set r1=%%r1:%%~a%% call set r2=%%r2:%%~a%% ) if %r1%==%r2% goto loop color %r1%%r2% echo %r1% echo %r2% pause goto loop

Hi Judago, Why call set? ===================================== Helping others achieve escape felicity M2

Hi M2, I'm not sure if your asking why I choose call over using delayed expansion or what exactly it does. No real reason to use call over over delayed expansion here(maybe just a subconscious character count thing....). Using set normally looked promising, except in reality it was throwing back the invalid batch parameter error..... If it the later, which I doubt because your such a pro at this, it's basically how everyone got along before delayed expansion (dos, 9x, nt4). The "nested variable" section of my how to (link in sig) explains it. Batch Variable how to

Hi Judago, Thanks. I'll have to think about this for a while. ===================================== Helping others achieve escape felicity M2