Random number generator question

Mr_Mako

Hi...

This may sound odd... but what I'd like to figure out is how to create a random number "generator".

I'm working with a board gaming site (about planes) and what I'd like to do is create a "serial number" effect... so every plane created on the site has a unique serial number that simulates real life aircraft serial numbers.

The format I want is a 5 digit format. The end result would be "42-XXXXX" (where, in the php code, it would look like thus) :

// this would be the output, as an example //
echo "<font size=2>42-$sn_variable</font>";

All 5 digit spaces would need to be filled... even if all 5 were zeros (for example, 42-00000).

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Marino

try using the function gmp_random and an array to keep track of the values you already have

Mr_Mako

Ok... that makes sense for randomization... but it brings up a couple more questions.

First, how would I use an array to do that? I'm sorry, I'm not all that familiar with arrays. 🙁

Second, is there a way to use that gmp_random function so that I always only get 5 numbers? I don't see a way to "force" that.

Marino

you could also use a different random function (havent had any use for them yet)
Look at www.php.net for more random functions (rand, srand)
You could also use the modulo function
$a = 23498979823;
$a = ($a % 100000)
now $a is 79823.

for the array part,
use this:

function getrandomval(){
//GET THE RANDOM VALUE HERE
}
$array = new array();
for ($i = 0 ; $i < $limit ; $i++){
$random = getrandomval();
while (in_array($random,$array)) $random = getrandomval();
$array[$i] = $random;
}

good luck