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<random> Tag is used to get random responses. This tag enables AIML to respond differently for the same input. <random> tag is used along with <li> tags. <li> tags carry different responses that are to be delivered to the user on a random basis.

Syntax

<random>
   <li> pattern1 </li>
   <li> pattern2 </li>
   ...
   <li> patternN </li>
</random>

For example, consider the following conversation.

Human: Hi
Robot: Hello!
Human: Hi
Robot: Hi! Nice to meet you!

Example

Create random.aiml inside C > ab > bots > test > aiml and random.aiml.csv inside C > ab > bots > test > aimlif directories.

random.aiml

<?xml version = "1.0" encoding = "UTF-8"?>
<aiml version = "1.0.1" encoding ="UTF-8"?>
   <category>
      <pattern>HI</pattern>
      
      <template>
         <random>
            <li> Hello! </li>
            <li> Hi! Nice to meet you! </li>
         </random>
      </template>
      
   <category>      
</aiml>

random.aiml.csv

0,HI,*,*, <random><li> Hello! </li><li> Hi! Nice to meet you! </li></random>,random.aiml

Execute the Program

Open the command prompt. Go to C > ab > and type the following command −

java -cp lib/Ab.jar Main bot = test action = chat trace = false

Verify the Result

You will see the following output −

Human: Hi
Robot: Hi! Nice to meet you!
Human: Hi
Robot: Hello!

Here, the response may vary considering random responses.