Pseudo code:
$min = SELECT MIN(id) from fortunes;
$max = SELECT MAX(id) from fortunes;
While (!$row && $count < 3) {
$id = rand $max + $min;
if ($id > $max) {
next;
}
$row = SELECT * from fortunes where id = $id;
$count++
}
If ($count >= 3) {
return 1st row;
}
-----Original Message-----
From: news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Joshua Beall
Sent: Monday, December 06, 2004 12:40 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Selecting a random row
Hi All,
I understand that I can get a random row out of a table by doing
something like
SELECT * FROM fortunes ORDER BY RAND() LIMIT 1
But I have also been told that this is a very slow operation.
I am building a script that will display a random saying, user
testimonial, whatever, on a web page. Since this is a public page
(i.e., not an admin backend), I have to be concerned about speed. What
is the best way to get a random row out of a database for this sort of
application? It's the sort of thing you see all the time, so I'm sure
others have thought about this before. Any pointers?
Sincerely,
-Josh
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