Put Mysql Rows in a Numeric Array

[lilman]

My objective:  To fetch the results of the query and then put the results into a numeric array. Then I will use the rand() function to randomly select a number and display that array value.

My mysql code is below:

[code]
$cat=$column['category'];
$smiliarpolls="SELECT * FROM polls WHERE category='$cat'";
$run=mysql_query($smiliarpolls);
[/code]


I want to display 10 random polls that meet the criteria above.  Any ideas? Thank you

[drifter]

EDIT: SHOOT - I answered for one random poll... (do a while loop and array push - will give you all them in an array - then do a shuffle and take the first 10)

there is an order by rand in mysql, however it is kinda slow.

if you know you have at least 20 polls in there, you can
$num=rand(0,19) (get random number)

ORDER BY id DESC (to get the most recent)
LIMIT $num,1

That would get you a random out of your last 20

Or do two queries one with a count and then choose random from that number. but that i a bit slower again.

hope this helps...