Random number problems

[stupidfool]

Forgive me I sound ignorant, but I'm still quite new to php. I am trying to generate a random number, which I will use immediately to create a file, then later to either display, edit, or delete the file. But whenever I use the original variable that I generated the number with, it creates a new random number. Can somebody help me keep the original random number? Sorry if this sounds confusing.

[dannys]

First get a random number with:

$myRandom=rand(1,49);

Now just use $myRandom wherever you want use the generated number.

[piersk]

Dont forget that you have to seed the random function to start with, otherwise you will come out with the same number each time...

Try something like:

srand(time());
$myRandomNumber=rand();

(note, the time() function takes its time from the number of seconds since the Unix Epoch (January 1 1970 00:00:00 GMT))

[dannys]

Originally posted by piersk
Dont forget that you have to seed the random function to start with, otherwise you will come out with the same number each time...

Try something like:

srand(time());
$myRandomNumber=rand();

(note, the time() function takes its time from the number of seconds since the Unix Epoch (January 1 1970 00:00:00 GMT)) [/B]

As of PHP4.2.0 you don't need to seed the random function anymore - that's why I left it out, should've been clearer I guess 🙂

[piersk]

Really? I didnt know that...