generate random numbers from a mysql result

[james19]

Hi,

I am trying to create a webpage that generates 5 random numbers from a list that is produced by a database query.

I know that the randomisation works as i have tested it. Listing the numbers from the database also works as it displays them.

 

The random code is as follows:

<?php
$numbers=array(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10);

//Get 5 unique random keys from $numbers array.
$rand_keys = array_rand($numbers, 5);

//if you want to sort the random keys
sort($rand_keys);

//print out the random numbers using the
//random keys.
foreach ($rand_keys as $k=>$v) {
echo $numbers[$v].", ";
}
?>

 

The mysql query is as follows:

<?php
require_once ('connect.php'); // Connect to the database.

// Generate a list of all of the sponsorhip_ids
$query_ids = mysql_query("SELECT id FROM images WHERE type_id='5' AND active='Y' ORDER BY sponsorship_id");
while ($all_ids = mysql_fetch_array ($query_ids, MYSQL_NUM)) {
$all_ids[0];

$content.=$all_ids[0].',';
}
echo 'Listed ids from table: '.$content.'<br>'; // print the results to check results (4 testing)
$desc_len = strlen($content);
$content[$desc_len-1] = '';	//remove the remaining comma

$array_content = strip_tags($content);
echo $array_content.'<br><br>'; // print the results to check results after the final commer has been removed (4 testing)
?>

 

Ok; now for the combined code, and where i am having the problems

 

<?php
require_once ('connect.php'); // Connect to the database.

// Generate a list of all of the sponsorhip_ids
$query_ids = mysql_query("SELECT id FROM images WHERE type_id='5' AND active='Y' ORDER BY sponsorship_id");
while ($all_ids = mysql_fetch_array ($query_ids, MYSQL_NUM)) {
$all_ids[0];

$content.=$all_ids[0].',';
}
echo 'Listed ids from table: '.$content.'<br>'; // print the results to check results (4 testing)
$desc_len = strlen($content);
$content[$desc_len-1] = '';	//remove the remaining comma

$array_content = strip_tags($content);
echo $array_content.'<br><br>'; // print the results to check results after the final commer has been removed (4 testing)

$numbers = array($array_content);

//Get 5 unique random keys from $numbers array.
$rand_keys = array_rand($content, 5);

//if you want to sort the random keys
sort($rand_keys);

//print out the random numbers using the
//random keys.
foreach ($rand_keys as $k=>$v) {
echo $numbers[$v].", ";
}
?>

 

 

The $array_content has a list of 10 numbers as follows:  2,5,8,9,10,15,22,23,24,26

 

When the script is fuly run it comes up with the errors:

 

Warning: array_rand(): First argument has to be an array in /home/www/kd-uk.freehostia.com/test-delete/select_rand2.php on line 70

Warning: sort() expects parameter 1 to be array, null given in /home/www/kd-uk.freehostia.com/test-delete/select_rand2.php on line 73

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/www/kd-uk.freehostia.com/test-delete/select_rand2.php on line 77

 

I presume these errors occur because the $array_content is not printed ie the coding does not look like this: 

$numbers=array(2,5,8,9,10,15,22,23,24,26)

 

 

Is there a way of getting it so it does?

 

Please help...

 

Many Thanks

James

[trq]

Replace...

 

$array_content = strip_tags($content);

 

with

 

$array_content = explode(',',strip_tags($content));

[sasa]

try

<?php
require_once ('connect.php'); // Connect to the database.

// Generate a list of all of the sponsorhip_ids
$query_ids = mysql_query("SELECT id FROM images WHERE type_id='5' AND active='Y' ORDER BY sponsorship_id");
while ($all_ids = mysql_fetch_array ($query_ids, MYSQL_NUM)) {
//$all_ids[0];
$content[] = $all_ids[0];
//$content.=$all_ids[0].',';
}
//echo 'Listed ids from table: '.$content.'<br>'; // print the results to check results (4 testing)
//$desc_len = strlen($content);
//$content[$desc_len-1] = '';	//remove the remaining comma

//$array_content = strip_tags($content);
print_r($content);
//echo $array_content.'<br><br>'; // print the results to check results after the final commer has been removed (4 testing)

//$numbers = array($array_content);
$numbers = $array_content;
//Get 5 unique random keys from $numbers array.
$rand_keys = array_rand($content, 5);

//if you want to sort the random keys
sort($rand_keys);

//print out the random numbers using the
//random keys.
foreach ($rand_keys as $k=>$v) {
echo $numbers[$v].", ";
}
?>

[MadTechie]

just wondering

 

why not do something simple like

 

SELECT * FROM `images ` WHERE  active='Y' ORDER BY RAND() ASC LIMIT 0,4

[james19]

Thank you for all your help....

However, I stuggled to get any of the suggestions to work (they still came up with the same errors...

 

just wondering

 

why not do something simple like

 

SELECT * FROM `images ` WHERE  active='Y' ORDER BY RAND() ASC LIMIT 0,4

- because i want to generate 5 unique results, so it does not deliver 2 of the same results