what is rand?

Often, I see something called "rand" or ".rand" or "rnd" in url query
parameter, for example in yahoo mail url. E.g.

http://someurl.com/a.aspx?id=123&rand=91g3obstudb1r

or http://someurl.com/a.aspx?Rnd=1.2341123

What is it used for?

ThanksLooks like some random string to avoid caching on browser.
I don't think it is something standard.

"Amelyan" <bamelyan@.wi.rr.com> wrote in message
news:OnYj5MHVGHA.5884@.TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> Often, I see something called "rand" or ".rand" or "rnd" in url query
> parameter, for example in yahoo mail url. E.g.
> http://someurl.com/a.aspx?id=123&rand=91g3obstudb1r
> or http://someurl.com/a.aspx?Rnd=1.2341123
> What is it used for?
> Thanks
Anything that is in the querystring is just some variable or other than the
web developer is using for some purpose specific to the site they have
developed.

"Amelyan" wrote:

> Often, I see something called "rand" or ".rand" or "rnd" in url query
> parameter, for example in yahoo mail url. E.g.
> http://someurl.com/a.aspx?id=123&rand=91g3obstudb1r
> or http://someurl.com/a.aspx?Rnd=1.2341123
> What is it used for?
> Thanks
>
Could be a reference to Ayn Rand?

--
;-),

Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP
Professional Numbskull

Show me your certification without works,
and I'll show my certification
*by* my works.

"Amelyan" <bamelyan@.wi.rr.com> wrote in message
news:OnYj5MHVGHA.5884@.TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> Often, I see something called "rand" or ".rand" or "rnd" in url query
> parameter, for example in yahoo mail url. E.g.
> http://someurl.com/a.aspx?id=123&rand=91g3obstudb1r
> or http://someurl.com/a.aspx?Rnd=1.2341123
> What is it used for?
> Thanks