Turn an Elm random generator into task, allowing it to be chained with other side effects.

RandomToTask.elm

-- 0.19

randomToTask : Generator a -> Task x a
randomToTask generator =
    Time.now
        |> Task.map (Tuple.first << Random.step generator << Random.initialSeed << Time.posixToMillis)


-- 0.18

randomToTask : Generator a -> Task x a
randomToTask generator =
  Time.now
    |> Task.map (Tuple.first << Random.step generator << Random.initialSeed << round)
    

@JoelQ Would you recommend using this? Are there libraries using it?

Had to change it to compile.

randomToTask : Generator a -> Task Never a
randomToTask generator =
    Time.now
        |> Task.map (Tuple.first << Random.step generator << Random.initialSeed << Time.posixToMillis)

@andys8 because it uses the current time as a seed, the random value more guessable than it otherwise would be (note that regardless of seed value, Random is not cryptographically secure).

I think it's fine to use this but personally haven't found a need for it. I've never had to combine randomness with other side effects like HTTP requests.

The original version I had up was for Elm 0.18. I've updated the gist with your modified version, labelling it as 0.19 compatible.

Thanks for your answer. I'm aware of the effect on randomness.

I searched for a way to combine Cmds. The use case need both a Uuid (Generator) and the current Posix (Task). There is no Cmd#andThen but there is Task#andThen. This snippet is the closest solution I found so far while it's not ideal.

Interesting discussion regarding cmd chaining
https://gist.github.com/alpacaaa/13335246234042395813d97af029b10f