Proposal: Define random() behavior for numbers with units

proposal/random-with-units.md

@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+# Random With Units: Draft 1
+
+*([Issue](https://github.com/sass/sass/issues/1890))*
+
+This proposal modifies the behavior of the built-in [`math.random()`][random]
+function to return a number with matching units to the numeric argument it
+received.
+
+[random]: ../spec/built-in-modules/math.md#random
+
+## Table of Contents
+
+* [Background](#background)
+* [Summary](#summary)
+  * [Design Decisions](#design-decisions)
+    * [New Behavior vs New Syntax](#new-behavior-vs-new-syntax)
+    * [No Stripping Units Fallback](#no-stripping-units-fallback)
+* [Semantics](#semantics)
+* [Deprecation Process](#deprecation-process)
+
+## Background
+
+> This section is non-normative.
+
+Sass provides a built-in [`math.random()` function][random] which takes an
+optional numeric parameter `$limit` (defaults to `null`).
+
+When `null` is passed it returns a decimal in the range `[0, 1)`. When an
+integer greater than zero is passed it returns a number in the range
+`[1, $limit)`. Otherwise it throws an error.
+
+However, a numeric integer can include units (e.g. `5px` or `8em`) and the
+current behavior [drops the units][issue], which is unexpected for most users.
+For example: `math.random(42px) => 28` (there is no `px`).
+
+[random]: https://sass-lang.com/documentation/modules/math#random
+[issue]: https://github.com/sass/sass/issues/1890
+
+## Summary
+
+> This section is non-normative.
+
+The built-in `math.random($limit: null)` function will keep the same behavior
+for numbers without units, but when given an integer with units it will return a
+random integer with matching units.
+
+### Design Decisions
+
+#### New Behavior vs New Syntax
+
+This proposal keeps the existing syntax but changes the semantics, therefore it
+is a breaking change.
+
+A backwards compatible alternative was a second optional parameter for units,
+e.g. `math.random(42, 'px')`, but it didn't solve the problem when the first
+parameter has units, e.g. `math.random(42em, 'px')`.
+
+We decided to update the behavior and follow the [deprecation process].
+
+[deprecation process]: #deprecation-process
+
+#### No Stripping Units Fallback
+
+Sass considers [stripping units an anti-pattern], so we won't provide a fallback
+option for the previous unit-stripping behavior. Users are expected to rely on
+unit-based arithmetic.
+
+[stripping units an anti-pattern]: https://github.com/sass/sass/issues/533#issuecomment-52531596
+
+## Semantics
+
+The `math.random()` function can take an optional parameter `$limit` which
+defaults to `null`.
+
+* If `$limit` is `null` then return a pseudo-random floating-point number in the
+  range `[0, 1)`.
+
+  > Example: `math.random() => 0.1337001337`
+
+* If `$limit` is an **integer** [number] greater than zero:
+
+  * Return a pseudo-random integer in the range `[1, $limit)` with the same
+    [units] as `$limit`.
+
+    > Examples:
+    > - `math.random(123) => 87`
+    > - `math.random(123px) => 43px`
+    > - `math.random(500%) => 238%`
+
+* Otherwise throw an error.
+
+[number]: https://sass-lang.com/documentation/values/numbers
+[units]: https://sass-lang.com/documentation/values/numbers#units
+
+## Deprecation Process
+
+Given some users may be relying on the existing Dart Sass implementation which
+strips off the units, this will be a breaking change for Dart Sass v1.
+
+We will emit deprecation warnings for any use of `math.random($limit)` where the
+`$limit` argument evaluates to a number with units.