[RESOLVED] Random string from array

[Sayian]

If i wanted to pull a random string from an array, lets say for like a quote of the day

$quotes = array('quote1','quote2','quote3','quote4');

$todays_quote = ?

What function could i use to provide the variable $todays_quote with a quote from our list?

Sayian

[bpat1434]

<?php

$max = count($quotes)-1;

$todays_quote = $quotes[rand(0, $max)];
?>

~Brett

[Sayian]

Hi brett, thanks for your help

But i would like to further understand whats going on here.

In $max .. you put a -1, why -1?

Sayian

EDIT: and i also thought the rand() function only returned integers?

If you could explain a little bit about whats going on here to help me learn id really appriciated it thanks!

[Installer]

• "count()" returns the number of elements in an array. The counting is started at 1. But the elements of an array are numbered starting with 0. So, doing the arithmetic, you can see that the last element ($max) is always numbered one less than the count (assuming you haven't explicitly assigned other indexes).

• Why would you want anything but an integer? Your array is non-associative (it's numbered by default).

[Sayian]

Ok, im trying to understand how this fully works.

Why wont this return "Hello 4"

<?

$quotes = array('hello','hello2','hello3','hello4');

$todays_quote = $quotes[4]; 

echo $todays_quote;

?>

[Installer]

Because "hello4" is $quotes[3]. There are 4 elements in your array.
$quotes[0] is the first ("hello").
$quotes[1] is the second ("hello2").
$quotes[2] is the third ("hello3").
$quotes[3] is the fourth ("hello4").

[Sayian]

Ahhh , thanks installer, your right and i overlooked that. I really appriciate your help, cheers to you.