Random numbers

[Yesideez]

The "Weighted Rand" topic reminded me of something I've needed but never found.

 

I'm looking for a routine that will pick random numbers out between X and Y.

 

Here's the snag: no number may be called more than once and the routine needs to exit when all numbers between X and Y (inclusive) have been chosen.

 

I need this for both a basic number range and for a 2D array.

 

Any help appreciated

[RichardRotterdam]

maybe you could just use shuffle to randomize an array list and then call them from the start till end

[Yesideez]

All that does is shuffle the order up assigning new keys so picking a random number could still pick the same one more than once.

[flyhoney]

You could keep up with the so-far-picked numbers with a static array.

[Yesideez]

That would be good for a small range of numbers but when we're looking at a very large range the routine could pause a little too long towards the end.

 

I've seen what I need in action elsewhere (handy to fade out pictures for example using this random selection routine via 2D arrays) but I can't for the life of me figure out how to code it!

[Michdd]

It depends on how you're planning on using this. One possible way is to use rand(); and use a MySql database to save the created values, then check if they've been made before.

 

Rand works like this:

 

rand(5, 15);

 

That chooses a random number between 5 and 15.

[corbin]

What about....

 

 

$min = 0;
$max = 99;

$numbers = array_fill($min, $max);
shuffle($numbers);

$c = $max - $min;

for($i = 0; $i < $c; ++$i) {
    echo $numbers[$i];
}

 

 

 

Or, if you wanted it to carry over pages, you could just store the offset.

[Yesideez]

Thanks, it's closer

 

I need the routine in a loop. For example, if I have 100 numbers (0-99) I need the routine to run 100 times and at the end all numbers to be selected (forgot to mention that in my OP.