using mt_rand and if statement

[donkeychoker]

Hi all,
I have a script where new members are issued with a random reference number between 1 and 20. Then their details and ref number are inserted into a mysql db.

I use mt_rand to generate the number but am struggling to find a way of ending this process when all the numbers have been assigned.
this is my code................................

//generate random number and store those already generated in an array
// otherwise when searching for only 1 remaining number it should find it
$randomNumbers = array(); // storage array
for ($i=0;$i<20;$i++) {
$ref = mt_rand(1,20);
while(in_array($ref,$randomNumbers)) {
$ref = mt_rand(1,20); }
array_push($randomNumbers,$ref);
}


require ($_SERVER["DOCUMENT_ROOT"] ."/conf/db_con.php") ;
$connection = mysql_connect ($db_host, $db_user, $db_password) or die ("error connecting") ;
mysql_select_db ($db_name, $connection);

//check number against one already taken
$checkref = mysql_query("SELECT ref FROM fa_users WHERE ref='$ref'");

$ref_exist = mysql_num_rows($checkref);

if($ref_exist > 0){
include 'select.php'; }



As you can see, the if statement checks whether the number has already been assigned and if so, reloads this same page. (is there a better way? i.e: start from the first line of this code??) I don't know how....

And, how do I tell it to stop when all numbers have been taken? At the moment i get a 500 error as it times out obviously because there are no numbers left.

I hope i have explained my problems correctly, any help much appreciated

[Kudose]

How about creating an array of 20 numbers and assigning those numbers to members using [man]array_rand[/man]?

[Kudose]

Also, if I am reading correctly, mt_rand selects a random number between the arguments. So you would really need something like mt_rand(0,21)

But I could be wrong on that one...

[donkeychoker]

Thanks for your reply,
wouldn't i encounter the same problem though?

[donkeychoker]

hi, my understanding is that it includes the numbers and also the code above works fine, it is just how to end the process when no other numbers left

[Kudose]

...Let me see what I can work out...

[donkeychoker]

many thx, appreciated

[Kudose]

With a little modification, you should be able to get your script working.

This works like a charm for me.

<?php
  //create 20 number array
  $nums = array();
  for($i=1;$i<21;$i++){
    $nums[] = $i;
  }
  //mix up numbers to give random value
  srand((float) microtime() * 10000000);
  shuffle($nums);

  //create members array
  $members = array("Travis" => 0, "David" => 0, "Tim" => 0,
                  "Kayla" => 0, "Todo" => 0, "Frank" => 0,
                  "Jeff" => 0, "Paul" => 0, "Ryan" => 0,
                  "Griffin" => 0, "Mike" => 0, "Susan" => 0,
                  "Dave" => 0, "Courtnie" => 0, "Staci" => 0,
                  "Brandon" => 0, "Brandin" => 0, "Chris" => 0,
                  "Aaron" => 0, "Zim" => 0);


  //set starting @nums key
  $key = 0;
  foreach($members as $k => $val){
    $members[$k] = $nums[$key];
    $key++;
  }
  //now every member has a ref number assigned to them

  echo '<pre>'; print_r($members); echo '</pre>';
?>

[donkeychoker]

That's great! Much appreciated....
The only problem i have is that members register and are then assigned a number so the member names are stored in the db but i don't see why i couldn't assign a number after i have 20 registered members rather than one at a time.

I will try your code in my script.

It is great that novices like me have someone like yourself and this forum to sort our problems.
Thx again

[Kudose]

You've got it.

You're welcome.