Randomize database results.

[Anon]

Does anyone know of a way or how I would go about randomizing a SQL result set. I have a list of names and addresses in a database and I would like to return the results on a search, which is working.

Problem #1. What I would like to do now is have the results return in a random order so if someone runs the same search multiple times it will return the results in a different order.

Problem #2. This issues is directly related to the above issues. What happens when I have a list of 30 names and addresses and I want to only display 10 names on a page with "next, prev" buttons? How to I know the previous order?

Thanks
- Justin

[rrijnders]

As a rule, databases do not return results in a random fasion (thank goodness!). If you want to display the results in a random fasion, you will have to handle that yourself (that's why we are programmers).

When you generate your random order of results, store the record keys in an array. When you display the results, serialize the array and store it in a session variable or a hidden form field so that it submits with your NEXT/PREV buttons. That way you know which rows to display next (or previous).

HTH
-- Rich

[Anon]

Hey,

thanks..

• Justin