Random data returned from mysql database one after another?

Question

I have a database of facts and I want to display one of these facts at random for say 10 seconds then for it to choose another fact and display it for 10 seconds and so on.

Currently I can get it to display a random fact fine using the code below however I am a bit confused about how to show this for 10 seconds and then display a different fact. Any help or advice would be brilliant? Thanks.

<?php 
  $linkid = $_GET['linkID'];            
  $query  = "SELECT *  
               FROM facts 
           ORDER BY RAND() 
              LIMIT 1";

  $result = mysql_query($query);

  while($row = mysql_fetch_array($result, MYSQL_ASSOC)) {
    $factxt = $row ['factxt'];
    echo $factxt;
  }
?>

Hi, ok I tried both of the ways suggested below, using ajax and jquery but both are returning the same error from the database:

Warning: mysql_query() [function.mysql-query]: Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock' (2) in getfact.php on line 4

This is line 4 of getfact.php,$query = "SELECT * FROM facts order by rand() limit 1"; $result = mysql_query($query);

is there something that I am doing wrong?

ariel · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-08 22:33:58Z

3

You can use Ajax with help of jQuery library.

Sample code:

setInterval(retrieveFact, 10000); // call retrieveFact() every 10 seconds

function retrieveFact() {
    // make an asynchronous call to getfact.php
    $.post('/getfact.php', function(data) { 
       // when it returns, set the content of div with id=#factbox
       $('#factbox').html(data); 
    });
});

Here, getfact.php would be the code you pasted on the question.

And in your html somewhere place the element that will receive the text:

<div id="factbox"></div>

More references:

edited May 8, 2011 at 22:33

answered May 8, 2011 at 22:28

ariel

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3 Comments

Louise McComiskey Over a year ago

Hi, ok I tried both of the ways suggested below, using ajax and jquery but both are returning the same error from the database: Warning: mysql_query() [function.mysql-query]: Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock' (2) in getfact.php on line 4 This is line 4 of getfact.php,$query = "SELECT * FROM facts order by rand() limit 1"; $result = mysql_query($query); is there something that I am doing wrong?

ariel Over a year ago

your mysql is not setup correctly. check if there are missing includes on the file.

Louise McComiskey Over a year ago

Thankyou yes I was just being silly and bit tired and forgot to include the database.php include! Thank for your help its working perfectly.

user744116 · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-08 22:36:15Z

2

First you must to include the jQuery library, then use this example code.

somefile.php/html:

<script type="text/javascript" src="jquery.min.js"></script>
<script>
function getRand() {
$.ajax({
url: "getFact.php",
success: function(response) {
$("#random").html(response).hide().fadeIn("slow");
}
});
};
setInterval("getRand()", 10000);
</script>
<div id="random"></div>

getFact.php:

<?php 
$linkid = $_GET['linkID'];          
$query  = "SELECT *  FROM facts order by rand() limit 1";
$result = mysql_query($query);
$factxt= $row ['factxt'];
echo $factxt;
?>

When the LIMIT is 1, you don't need to put information into loop.

answered May 8, 2011 at 22:36

user744116

3 Comments

ariel Over a year ago

but you have to check if no results are returned

Louise McComiskey Over a year ago

Hi, ok I tried both of the ways suggested below, using ajax and jquery but both are returning the same error from the database: Warning: mysql_query() [function.mysql-query]: Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock' (2) in getfact.php on line 4 This is line 4 of getfact.php,$query = "SELECT * FROM facts order by rand() limit 1"; $result = mysql_query($query); is there something that I am doing wrong?

user744116 Over a year ago

In file getFact.php you will be connect to database.

Joshua - Pendo · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-08 22:29:10Z

0

You can use ajax for this with an interval that loads in some data via ajax/getJSON or load this page in an iframe and add an automated refresh every 10 seconds (meta refresh).

answered May 8, 2011 at 22:29

Joshua - Pendo

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