Is it possible to read a recordset in a random order using MySQL and PHP ?

I have a recordset of "banners" that I need to list but want to make sure that they are displayed in a random order so that not only the top ones get clicked.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.



Edited by - GreatTraveller on 09/14/2001 03:16:02

You really should explore the site a little better.

There is an extension especially for doing this in PHP, available from this site. It is called PHP Move To Random Record and can be found at www.udzone.com/go?834

Tim Green

Extension & PHP TalkZone Manager
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Thanks Tim

I have had a good look over the site and already have download and used sucessfully that extension. It works great.

However I do not see how I could use it to help me display a complete recordset in a random order. Please point me in the right direction if I am just a newbie pain <img src=../images/dmxzone/forum/icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

My last question this month I promise.

Stephen

Actually I think I know what you mean, what you actually want to do is create a recordset that contains one random item from your table.

Here is some SQL for your recordset which will work just fine provided your table isn't abnormally large.

When creating your Recordset, switch to Advanced view, and enter something like :-

SELECT picture,url FROM banners ORDER BY RAND()

This will create a recordset containing all of your banner information, but it will order them randomly so the first record will always be different, and therefore, whenever the page is refreshed and the recordset recreated you'll get a different banner.

Hope this helps...

(Oh and BTW, you can ask as many questions as you like, there are no quotas, and you're not being a pain <img src=../images/dmxzone/forum/icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> )

Tim Green

Extension & PHP TalkZone Manager
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Random ordering is exactly what I need to do, so I tried:

SELECT * FROM TextTable ORDER BY RAND()

and got the following error message.

Microsoft JET Database Engine (0x80040E14)
Undefined function 'RAND' in expression.

I'm using an OLE DB connection rather that a DSN would that make a difference?

Any ideas?

Regards

Owen.

Owen, the code I put up there was MySQL specific, and won't work on other DB's.

You would need to use something like this :-

SELECT *,rand() AS random_row FROM TextTable ORDER BY random_row

Tim Green

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Edited by - rawveg on 09/15/2001 01:44:55

You are a KING amongst men.

The MySQL tip works really well.

I owe you a drink big time!

Thanks Tim (rawveg)

Stephen,

It is a pleasure, and whilst I give advice for free, I will hold you to that offer of a drink ! <img src=../images/dmxzone/forum/icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Tim Green

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Hi,

Would you be able to tell me how I could do this using MS Access and ASP VB Script?

Thanks so much