How do I generate random number for each row in a TSQL Select?

Question

I need a different random number for each row in my table. The following seemingly obvious code uses the same random value for each row.

SELECT table_name,          


        

Answer 1

When called multiple times in a single batch, rand() returns the same number.

I'd suggest using convert(varbinary,newid()) as the seed argument:

SELECT table_name, 1.0 + floor(14 * RAND(convert(varbinary, newid()))) magic_number 
FROM information_schema.tables

newid() is guaranteed to return a different value each time it's called, even within the same batch, so using it as a seed will prompt rand() to give a different value each time.

Edited to get a random whole number from 1 to 14.