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
>