Randomize a MySQL Query on an html page

[k994519]

Hi guys,

I wonder if you can help me......

IM a first time programmer and find it to be very cool, however i have come across a problem.

I have got a MYsql table which i would like to display randomly, (so the first entry is not shown first... etc)

How would i go about doing this?

I have looked at the rand(); but no luck soo far

Any help will be most appreicated......

[Sphynx]

Are you saying the following won't work for you?...

SELECT * FROM tbl_name ORDER BY RAND()

If not, what ver mysql are you running?

[Moonglobe]

i think he was talking about the php function rand. your example should work.

[k994519]

Thanks guys,

I have been trying the Mysql function rand, I was told though that the PHP function is more powerful,

How would I use the rand function in php with mysql?

Again any help you give me with this will be very much appreciated.

[Moonglobe]

more pwerful? don't know what you mean there... both generate pseudorandom numbers, but only one will be easy for what you want... just go with mysql's order by rand().

[k994519]

thanks moon, I will try that.......

I heard the php function rand was more powerful from my lecturer ........( thinks......... Last time I'll listen to that dumb so and so).. he he

[Moonglobe]

well yes, but its not what you need here... and using native SQL will likely be faster than any other way of doing it 🙂