The shuf
command normally generates a random permutation of its input lines. However with the -e
(echo) and -n 1
(show only 1 output) arguments you can make it choose a random command line argument.
For example, ping a random well-known DNS server:
$ ping $(shuf -n 1 -e 1.1.1.1 1.1.1.2 8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4 4.2.2.1 4.2.2.2)