Get random array value in mysql

Question

I am trying to create a mock dataset to test some queries on. How would I get a random selection from an array in mysql. For example:

select id, random(['microsoft', 'chrome', 'firefox']) browser from mytable

Gordon Linoff · Accepted Answer · 2017-01-27 01:47:10Z

11

You can use elt() and random():

select id,
       elt(floor(rand() * 3 + 1), 'microsoft', 'chrome', 'firefox') browser
from mytable;

answered Jan 27, 2017 at 1:47

Gordon Linoff

1.3m62 gold badges706 silver badges857 bronze badges

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

4 Comments

@David542 . . . It chooses a value from a list.

@GordonLinoff thanks -- what does "ELT" stand for? (not extract-load-transform, is it?)

@David542 . . . My guess would be "element".