rand() always returns the same..

[w0rtel]

I want to get a random row from my table. And i use this:

 

$sql = "SELECT * FROM random ORDER BY RAND() LIMIT 1";



$result = mysql_query($sql);

$object = mysql_fetch_object($result);



$rid = $object->rid;

But I always get the first row. Never a different one.. Why?

 

(MySQL v. MySQL 3.23.54-nt)

 

Thnx 4 the help..

[pallevillesen]

I want to get a random row from my table. And i use this:

 

$sql = "SELECT * FROM random ORDER BY RAND() LIMIT 1";



$result = mysql_query($sql);

$object = mysql_fetch_object($result);



$rid = $object->rid;

But I always get the first row. Never a different one.. Why?

 

(MySQL v. MySQL 3.23.54-nt)

 

Thnx 4 the help..

 

Probably because you\'re opening a new connection each time.. The rand() function is not truly random, so you need to give it a near random seed, i.e. use rand(seedvalue)...

 

You may use something like rand(seconds(curdat())) or some other stuff. If you\'re using php you could take a variable and assign a random number to it and them use that as seed in you query.

 

P., denmark

[axyonline]

may be u can random selection by doing that:

get the last record from table ( u can do that \"select last_insert_id()\" )

then $min=1 ; $max=$last_record_id ;

$random_record=rand($min,$max);

then u print the random row by mysql_fetch_row..

if u have 10000 records in your table it will search all the records from table then randomize 1 row. searching is too late. but doing like this searching is quite time and it is easy for me

see u later

Cihan

[dmeade]

thanks to the information above I managed to get a good solution:

 

[php:1:d09dd98aa6]<?php

$random_seed=rand(1, time());

$query = \"SELECT * FROM $table ORDER BY RAND($random_seed) limit 1\";

?>[/php:1:d09dd98aa6]

 

Thanks all.

- Dave

[sohaibshaheen]

thanks to the information above I managed to get a good solution:

 

[php:1:d09dd98aa6]<?php

$random_seed=rand(1, time());

$query = \"SELECT * FROM $table ORDER BY RAND($random_seed) limit 1\";

?>[/php:1:d09dd98aa6]

 

Thanks all.

- Dave

 

What if the rand output doesnot equal row value.. It may produce 100 when u have 30 results only...

[Pikachu2000]

Google "mysql why order by rand is bad".

[fenway]

Google "mysql why order by rand is bad".

Or read the stickies.