[SOLVED] Help with coding overview!

[Snooble]

Hey everyone, thanks in advance!

 

I'm creating bingo cards using PHP and MySQL. I wondered what the best way of doing so is.. So far my idea is:

 

Use php to shuffle an array of values, choose first 10, (10 items per bingo card), and save each choice in a separate column under an id.

 

I need each card to be UNIQUE, and I need to have a record of the items on the card by checking the id.

 

Any tips on making sure each card is unique would be GREATLY appreciated, as I'm a bit stuck!

 

Thank you!

 

Snooble

[alexdemers]

Store a md5() of each card. Let's say your array is:

 

[

    [5, 6, 7, 9, 11]

    [16, 18, 21, 25, 26]

    [30, 35, 36, 37, 40]

    [47, 48, 51, 52, 55]

    [65, 69, 71, 72, 73]

]

 

$stored_value = md5(serialize($bingo_card_array));

[Snooble]

so if i serialize the array, i can compare one WHOLE bingo card to another? Would i need to sort the results first to make the serialized arrays the same?

 

Thanks

 

Snooble

[alexdemers]

so if i serialize the array, i can compare one WHOLE bingo card to another? Would i need to sort the results first to make the serialized arrays the same?

 

Thanks

 

Snooble

 

 

Well, bingo cards are usually sorted so I guess it should be sorted in the array. Comparing one whole bingo card to another will work but only return true or false if they are the same, they won't return the differences between the two.

[Snooble]

okok.. I think i can take it from here.

 

Thank you.