Expert Advice needed about rand() in mysql

[karthikeyan_coder]

Hello,
        i want to get some random rows from my table.. here is the query

[code]$ sql = "SELECT * FROM `banner` WHERE `AID`='1' AND `ACTIVE`='Y' ORDER BY rand() LIMIT 0,2";[/code]
it is for getting two rows... is this will give me different two rows always?? coz im expecting some problems occationally, it gives less no of rows... it may be a problem with rest of my code.. but what do you think about rand() in the mysql query?

Thank you.

[scliburn]

um, try LIMIT 2

calling to the initial offset may give you a hassle. KISS - [b]K[/b]eep [b]I[/b]t [b]S[/b]imple and [b]S[/b]tupid.

;D

[karthikeyan_coder]

Ohh... ok.. What about rand() .. Can we trust it?

[oracle259]

In what sense do u want to know if u can trust it..I have used a similar query and it has worked for me. However, when the database is small it seems to be less worthwhile. Other than this approach u can always shuffle the mysql fetch array results and output two random entries. But rand works best.

[Barand]

If the number of records matching your WHERE criteria is less than your limit then that's all you'll get

[scliburn]

i've been able trust it. having 1.5 million entries in a table helps the rand() ideals.  ;)

[karthikeyan_coder]

Ok Thank you Scliburn,Barry Andrew and Oracle :) just back to development with rand(); :)

[Barand]

omg, my secret identity has been blown  :o