[Closed] help with Name selection and random material script

    fn materialRandomPick basicNames: materials: =
   (
   	-- use default names if the basic names are unsupplied:
   	if basicNames == unsupplied do basicNames = #("Sandy","Ben","Sue","Jerry")
   	-- use medit materials if the material list is unsupplied:
   	if materials == unsupplied do materials = for mat in meditmaterials where iskindof mat material collect mat
   
   	for name in basicNames do
   	(
   		-- collect all node with the basic name:
   		nodes = execute ("$'" + name + "'*")
   		-- if we have the nodes:
   		if nodes != undefined do
   		(
   			-- collect all materials with the basic name:
   			mats = for mat in materials where matchpattern mat.name pattern:(name + "*") collect mats
   			-- if we have so do random apply: 
   			if mats.count > 0 do for node in nodes do node.material = mats[random 1 mats.count]
   		)
   	)
   )
   /*
   [color=white]-- call it:[/color]
   materialRandomPick basicNames:#("Sandy","Ben","Sue","Jerry") materials:meditmaterials
   */
    

Thankyou that helps alot. Just realised my script did not attach

My original code

 rollout AssignRandomMaterial_rollout "Please Input A Name"
 	(
 		edittext Object_name ""
 		button assign_materials "ASSIGN MATERIALS..." 
 		on assign_materials pressed do	
 			
 		--MAIN AIM: Clear selection so no objects are selected and then select all the objects beginning with the name the user input (Object_name)
 			(
 				clearselection()
 				--clear selection so nothing selected
 				Execute ("$'"+Object_name+"*'")
 				--select the objects beginning with the inputted name
 			)--end on
 
 		--MAIN AIM: Select all materials beginning with the name the user input (Object_name) and then select a random one
 		function getMaterials 
 			(
 			--Object_materials = get all material slots using (Object_name+"*")
 			--select random Object_materials
 			)
 			
 		--MAIN AIM: Loop around the selection adding a random material (hence the function getMaterials)
 		sel = selection as array
 		count = 1
 		undo on
 		(
 			if sel.count > 0 then
 			(
 			  while count <= sel.count do
 			  (
 				select sel[count]
 				count += 1
 				$.material = getMaterials() 
 			  )
 			)
 		)
 	)--end rollout
 createDialog AssignRandomMaterial_rollout 250 50 

I am having a little problem though, it happened when testing  your script and parts of mine, it seems its having problems with the line :

 nodes = execute "$'" + name + "'*" 

from yours

The listener is saying: 

-- No ""+"" function for undefined 

I'm using 3ds Max 2011 x64 and also need it to work in 2010 x64 - am not sure if max is the problem though, gotta be my fault somewhere lol

edit: the listener reads

  materialRandomPick()
  -- Error occurred in name loop; filename: C:\Users\redwatty\Desktop
ewscript.ms; position: 472; line: 11
  --  Frame:
  --   mats: undefined
  --   nodes: undefined
  --   name: "Sandy"
  --   called in materialRandomPick(); filename: C:\Users\redwatty\Desktop
ewscript.ms; position: 822; line: 20
  --  Frame:
  --   basicNames: #("Sandy", "Ben", "Sue", "Jerry")
  --   materials: #meditMaterials()
  -- No ""+"" function for undefined 

thanks, so I called the function and it returned ok, no materials where applied though, am not too sure if they should be? I am now going to disect your script and work out everything you have done, its a little over my head as you can probably tell from my original script lol but this is all good for my learning and many many thanx

Thankyou Denis you just made my night, works perfectly, tested thoroughly. Thankyou so much