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C# | Random.NextBytes() Method

Last Updated : 11 Jul, 2025
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The NextBytes(Byte[]) method of the System.Random class in C# is used to fill the elements of a specified array of bytes with random numbers. This method takes a byte array as a parameter and fills it with random numbers. Syntax:
public virtual void NextBytes (byte[] buffer);
Here, buffer is the array of bytes to contain random numbers. Exception: This method will give ArgumentNullException if the buffer is null. Below programs illustrates the use of NextBytes() method: Example 1: csharp
// C# program to illustrate the
// use of Random.NextBytes Method
using System;

class GFG {

    // Driver code
    public static void Main()
    {
        // Instantiate random number generator
        Random rand = new Random();

        // Instantiate an array of byte
        Byte[] b = new Byte[10];

        rand.NextBytes(b);

        // Print random numbers in the byte array
        Console.WriteLine("Printing random numbers"+
                              " in the byte array");

        for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++)
            Console.WriteLine("{0} -> {1}", i, b[i]);
    }
}
Output:
Printing random numbers in the byte array
0 -> 63
1 -> 166
2 -> 5
3 -> 212
4 -> 114
5 -> 94
6 -> 161
7 -> 4
8 -> 226
9 -> 46
Example 2: csharp
// C# program to illustrate the
// use of Random.NextBytes Method
using System;

class GFG {

    // Driver code
    public static void Main()
    {
        // Instantiate random number generator
        Random rand = new Random();

        // Instantiate an array of byte
        Byte[] b = new Byte[10];

        rand.NextBytes(b);

        // Print random numbers in the byte array
        Console.WriteLine("Printing random numbers"+
                              " in the byte array");

        foreach(byte byteValue in b)
            Console.WriteLine("{0}", byteValue);
    }
}
Output:
Printing random numbers in the byte array
98
68
221
160
179
78
172
129
121
179
Reference:

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