title: Randomly generating numbers within a fixed non-Gaussian distribution in matlab
body: <p>I have an 200 x 200 data matrix (symmetrical about x=y), where the position of each value in the matrix is important. The matrix is filled with values between -0.2 and 0.8, non-normally distributed.</p>
  
  <p>I am trying to generate a random model from these to test whether the outcome variable I get by doing some operation on the values in my 200 x 200 matrix is significant. I figured the best way to do this would be to define the distribution of values and then create a random matrix from these. I think this would probably be better than just randomly permuting the values in the upper triangle of my matrix (and faster)? Anyone know how to do this? I will need to repeat this for many thousands of matrices with different non-gaussian distributions, so a fast solution would be appreciated! Thanks!</p>