Output random string stored in array

Question

Hello once again stackoverflow. I've been working on something in PHP. Now, what I require is that PHP picks a random value in my array I have and outputs it. But, not make it the same every time, constantly change it everytime the page is loaded.

What I have so far:

    <?php
$a=array("Value 1", "Value 2", "Value 3", "Value 4", "Value 5");
$random_keys=array_rand($a);
echo $random_keys;
?>

Now, I've tried this script but it outputs numbers instead of a value. What is it exactly I am doing wrong?

Aziz Saleh · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-24 20:59:04Z

4

Do:

<?php
$a=array("Value 1", "Value 2", "Value 3", "Value 4", "Value 5");
$random_keys=array_rand($a);
echo $a[$random_keys];

array_rand returns the key not the value. You will need to use the key to return the value like above.

answered Mar 24, 2014 at 20:59

Aziz Saleh

2,7071 gold badge19 silver badges27 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

NomadsBoy Over a year ago

Thank you so much! I now see what you mean. Worked perfectly!

Aziz Saleh Over a year ago

@NomadsBoy You are welcome. If you feel that the answer helped you, you can always mark it as the answer. It should help others as well.

larsAnders · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-24 21:01:50Z

2

Alternatively, you could also use the function shuffle(), which re-orders the original array.

$a=array("Value 1", "Value 2", "Value 3", "Value 4", "Value 5");
shuffle($a);
echo $a[0];

answered Mar 24, 2014 at 21:01

larsAnders

3,8031 gold badge17 silver badges19 bronze badges

Comments

Hoff · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-24 20:59:10Z

0

It returns the Index so you should write:

$random_keys=$a[array_rand($a)];
echo $random_keys;

answered Mar 24, 2014 at 20:59

Hoff

2431 silver badge6 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Output random string stored in array

3 Answers 3

2 Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

2 Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related