array_randPick one or more random entries out of an array
&reftitle.description;
mixedarray_randarrayarrayintnum1
Picks one or more random entries out of an array, and returns the
key (or keys) of the random entries.
It uses a pseudo random number generator that is not suitable for
cryptographic purposes.
&reftitle.parameters;
array
The input array.
num
Specifies how many entries should be picked.
&reftitle.returnvalues;
When picking only one entry, array_rand returns
the key for a random entry. Otherwise, an array of keys for the random
entries is returned. This is done so that random keys can be picked
from the array as well as random values. Trying to pick more elements
than there are in the array will result in an
E_WARNING level error, and NULL will be returned.
&reftitle.changelog;
&Version;&Description;7.1.0
The internal randomization algorithm has been changed to use the Mersenne Twister Random Number Generator instead of the libc rand function.
5.2.10
The resulting array of keys is no longer shuffled.
&reftitle.examples;
<function>array_rand</function> example
]]>
&reftitle.seealso;
shuffle