Adding a 'where' to array_rand

[ukscotth]

Hi,

 

I have a function that pulls a random line from a text file and I would like to change it so it pulls a random line from a text file that contains a certain date, heres the current function :

 

function RandomLine($filename) { 
    $lines = file($filename) ; 
    return $lines[array_rand($lines)] ; 
} 

 

Any ideas on the best way to do this ?

 

Many thanks.

 

 

[requinix]

Go through the lines in the file and keep track of (=store in an array) the lines you actually want to choose from. Then array_rand() on that.

[Psycho]

Just to add to his comment

 

function RandomLine($filename, $dateStr)
{
    $matchingLines = array();
    foreach(file($filename) as $line)
    {
        if(strpos($line, $dateStr) !== false)
        {
            $matchingLines[] = $line
        }
        return $matchingLines[array_rand($matchingLines)] ;
} 

 

Although, I guess you could also unset() a line from the original array if the date doesn't exist. If the process take any significant amount of time to run, you might look at that as an option.

[ukscotth]

ok great thanks. Il give it a try