Multiple lines of random text

[urban]

Greets,

I was wondering how to insert a random line of text for the header of a paragraph...the catch is I have 3 paragraphs and for each header, the random text actually connect to form a longer sentace...here is an example.

Some Might Call Us Nerds:
paragraph here paragraph here paragraph here paragraph here paragraph here paragraph here

Some might be right:
paragraph here paragraph here paragraph here paragraph here paragraph here paragraph here paragraph here paragraph here

No, they are right:
paragraph here paragraph here paragraph here paragraph here paragraph here paragraph here paragraph here paragraph here

anyone care to help me out, thanks.

[Drakla]

What's the source of the random sentences? Do you have a database, or text file with them on seperate lines, or something?

[urban]

i was hoping for a text file based way to keep things simplier, im not a coder by any means. i know of a way to do ONE random line of text--but not in the way i want for this site.

But usually i just have a text file named like "random.txt" and it picks a line automatically and inserts it...thoughts, opinions? thanks for replying.

[Installer]

Here's one way to do it:

$paragraphs = array('First paragraph.', 'Second paragraph.', 'Third paragraph.');
foreach ($paragraphs as $paragraph) {
    echo random_line() . ':<br />';
    echo $paragraph . '<br />';
}

function random_line($file = 'random.txt')
{
    static $used = array();
    static $arr;
    if (empty($arr)) {
        $arr = file($file);
    }
    if (count($used) == count($arr)) {
        $used = array();
    }
    while (in_array($txt = $arr[array_rand($arr)], $used)) {
        continue;
    }
    $used[] = $txt;
    return trim($txt);
}

[urban]

now i need to know what to do with it lol. i r teh suck 🙁

[Installer]

What do you mean "what to do with it"?

• In your "random.txt" file, put each "random line" on a separate line (e.g.
  Some Might Call Us Nerds
  Some might be right
  No, they are right
  ).
• Put the "random.txt" file somewhere where the script can reach it (e.g. the same directory as your script. If not there, then adjust the "file = 'random.txt'" argument to the actual path, or pass the path and file name to the function).
• Paste the function into your script (e.g. at the bottom) or into an included file.
• Each time you want a random line from the "random.txt" file, call the function (e.g. "echo random_line();" or "$x = random_line(); echo $x;").

In other words, just like I showed in my last post.