Luck Draw Probs

maskme

Hi to All

Im asking using a form how many luck winners u want to display

SELECT * FROM tbltab order by RAND() limit 0,$nod

$nod is a no. of lucky winners to choose randomly.

The problem is that everytime it displays the First Record in the Table. If i do $nod=1, it shows the first record in the Table, instead of choosing a random record from the table.

where am i wrong??

help me plz
thanx a lot

benkillin

You may have to define a range of numbers in the rand() function, try rand(1, 65536) to pick a random number from 1 to 65536.

maskme

Sorry It does not work in the SQL Statement RAND(1, 65634)

it does not select the table. gives mySql error

BeastRider

Your SELECT statement is doing exactly what you asked it to, and it doesn't actually make much sense.

SELECT * FROM tbltab order by RAND() limit 0,$nod

First, the statement LIMIT 0,$nod means that it will read $nod records from the beginning of the database (that's what the 0 in the limit statement means).

Second, you don't ORDER BY a random number, you order by a field name... I am surprised this query even executes.

If you are trying to get some random number of records into the database then

$startrow = RAND(); // or RAND(1,65536)
SELECT * FROM tbltab
                LIMIT $startrow, $nod

maskme

Originally posted by BeastRider
$startrow = RAND(); // or RAND(1,65536)
SELECT * FROM tbltab
                LIMIT $startrow, $nod 
the above does not work, it shows ZERO records

[/B]

batman

$startrow = RAND();
$sql = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM tbltab ORDER BY $startrow LIMIT 0, $nod");

See if that works,
-Blake

maskme

Originally posted by batman
$startrow = RAND();
$sql = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM tbltab ORDER BY $startrow LIMIT 0, $nod");

IT GIVES mySQL error & does not select the database

batman

IT GIVES mySQL error & does not select the database

It wasn't up to me to do the database selecting and all that, it was up to you.

BeastRider

Originally posted by maskme

I suggest

a) you more clearly elucidate the problem statement;
b) you gain a clearer understanding of the operation of the SELECT statement and RAND function;
c) that you work on improving your debugging skills instead of posting, "it doesn't work".