Thread: mySQL / PHP / selecting 1 random row

I am looking for a nice way to do the following , in PHP / mySQL

1. Select a random row from a database , with a certain dateType
2. Assign the values read out to variables

Database has columns, dateType, date1 , date2, date3

PHP Code:

  = "SELECT * FROM reserved dates WHERE dateType='2'
ORDER BY RAND()
LIMIT 1";
 = mysql_query();
while( = mysql_fetch_array(, MYSQL_ASSOC))
{
    echo "Date1: <br>" .
         "Date2:  <br>" .
         "Date3:  <br><br>";
} 


I was just wondering if there is a more graceful way of doing i, rather than doing a while loop there ? Plus the query is probably very slow they way I have it. Maybe I will just use this : http://www.greggdev.com/web/articles.php?id=6

you don't need the while as you are only selecting 1 row.

PHP Code:

 sSql = "SELECT * FROM reserved dates WHERE dateType='2' ORDER BY RAND() LIMIT 0,1";
rs = mysql_query(sSql);
row = mysql_fetch_array(rs, MYSQL_ASSOC);
    echo "Date1: <br>" .
         "Date2:  <br>" .
         "Date3:  <br><br>"; 


Cheers Louie ! The names of the columns .ie date1, date2, date3 will be accessible under $rs[date1]; ?

BTW. this vbulletin seems to strip the $ bits.

no it should be under "row['date1']"

Yes I know. Michelle should do something about it...

Oops that was I meant to put in.

As for the error here I think it's something to do with that plugin for youTube.