weighted random number

[tomdelonge]

Alright, it's statistically random, but I want to order some rows in mysql, and then have every single one be possible, but the ones near the top be more likely to be chosen. Understand? I don't... That's why I'm asking, how should I do that?

[genericnumber1]

Look into poisson distribution algorithms.

[sasa]

try

<?php

$array_of_pos = array(1,2,3,4,5);

for ($i=0;$i<10000;$i++){

foreach ($array_of_pos as $pos)

//create new value foreach positions

$tmp[$pos] = ($pos + 7) * rand();

asort($tmp);//sort new array

$tmp = array_flip($tmp);

$first = array_shift($tmp);//get 1st element

$out[]=$first; // put element for analise

}

$distribution = array_count_values($out);

ksort($distribution);

print_r($distribution);

?>[7php]

[redarrow]

brilliant bit off coding nice one.

 

sorry but all them functions in one is grate was wondering how it all worked in a real worlds situation.

 

love the example.