a Php function serving random values from an array

Question

function acids(){
    $acidsarray=array('lemonjuice','vinegar','sherry','champagne','orange');
    $acids=array_rand($acidsarray);
    echo $acids;
}

Hello, I'm new to programming and this is a function I've written, the idea is it's supposed to spit out one of the ingredients from the array; when I run it it returns a number, usually between 0 and 4, so it's doing something though not what I want it to do. Can you see where I'm going wrong?

I've written the function in python, using the same logic and it works fine.

Thank you

It's always good to read the documentation: php.net/manual/en/function.array-rand.php — Cyclonecode
– Cyclonecode, Commented May 11, 2013 at 9:44

BenOfTheNorth · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-11 09:43:36Z

3

array_rand returns the key only, so when you echo you'd need to instead echo:

echo $acidsarray[$acids];

answered May 11, 2013 at 9:43

BenOfTheNorth

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2 Comments

user2372496 Over a year ago

Right, so in Php lingo i need to go a step further and hook the random picker to the actual array.

BenOfTheNorth Over a year ago

Yeah, basically it returns an identifier rather than the data

David Mulder · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-11 09:43:54Z

0

You want to do the following:

function acids(){
            $acidsarray=array('lemonjuice','vinegar','sherry','champagne','orange');
            $acids=$acidsarray[array_rand($acidsarray)];
            echo $acids;
}

Because the docs say

Picks one or more random entries out of an array, and returns the key (or keys) of the random entries.

answered May 11, 2013 at 9:43

David Mulder

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Comments

Niels Keurentjes · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-11 09:43:58Z

0

If you'd read the documentation, you'd have seen array_rand returns a random index valid for subsequently using on the array.

So you'll need to add:

$acids = $acidsarray[$acids];

answered May 11, 2013 at 9:43

Niels Keurentjes

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Comments

soachishti · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-11 10:01:14Z

0

You can also use shuffle function to serve random value.

function acids(){
    $acidsarray = array('lemonjuice','vinegar','sherry','champagne','orange');
    shuffle($acidsarray);
    echo $acidsarray[0];
}

answered May 11, 2013 at 10:01

soachishti

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1 Comment

user2372496 Over a year ago

might come in handy someday :)

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