I have two columns in a row: min_value
, max_value
. Is there a way to do a select like:
SELECT RAND(`min_v`, `max_v`) `foo` [..]
I do realize that RAND
does a different thing; the closest I came up (with help) is (RAND() * (max-min))+min
, though it will produce a float number, which I'd need then to ROUND() and this is just completely wrong.
Unless anyone can suggest an alternative (which would be very useful), I will go PHP way.
RAND() Return a random floating-point value.
Random Integer RangeSELECT FLOOR(RAND()*(b-a+1))+a; Where a is the smallest number and b is the largest number that you want to generate a random number for. SELECT FLOOR(RAND()*(25-10+1))+10; The formula above would generate a random integer number between 10 and 25, inclusive.
SQL Server has a built-in function that generates a random number, the RAND() mathematical function. The RAND math function returns a random float value from 0 through 1. It can take an optional seed parameter, which is an integer expression (tinyint, smallint or int) that gives the seed or start value.
Actually, ROUND((RAND() * (max-min))+min)
is the best way in MySQL to do what you'd like. It is also the best way in ActionScript, JavaScript, and Python. Honestly, I prefer it to the PHP way because it is more convenient.
Because I don't know how many rows you'll be returning, I can't advise you whether it is better to use PHP or MySQL for this, but if you're dealing with a large number of values you probably are better off using MySQL.
So, there was a question as to whether this is better in PHP or MySQL. Instead of getting into a debate on principles, I ran the following:
<pre><?php $c = mysql_connect('localhost', 'root', ''); if(!$c) die('!'); echo mysql_select_db('test', $c)?'Connection':'Failure'; echo PHP_EOL; echo ':::::::::::::::::::::::::BEGINNING MYSQL RAND::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::'.PHP_EOL; $start = microtime(1); for( $i = 0; $i < 100000; $i++ ) { $r = mysql_query( 'SELECT ROUND(RAND() * (200-10) + 10) FROM dual' ); $r = mysql_fetch_array( $r ); } $end = microtime(1); echo ($end - $start) . " for MySQL select".PHP_EOL; echo ':::::::::::::::::::::::::BEGINNING PHP RAND::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::' .PHP_EOL; $start = microtime(1); for( $i = 0; $i < 100000; $i++ ) { $r = mysql_query( 'SELECT 200 AS two, 10 AS tem FROM dual' ); $r = mysql_fetch_array( $r ); $r[2]= rand($r[0], $r[1]); } $end = microtime(1); echo ($end - $start) . " for PHP select".PHP_EOL;
MySQL is faster by about 2-3%.
If you use this, however (note, more columns return by MySQL):
<pre><?php $c = mysql_connect('localhost', 'root', ''); if(!$c) die('!'); echo mysql_select_db('test', $c)?'Connection':'Failure'; echo PHP_EOL; echo ':::::::::::::::::::::::::BEGINNING MYSQL RAND::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::'.PHP_EOL; $start = microtime(1); for( $i = 0; $i < 100000; $i++ ) { $r = mysql_query( 'SELECT ROUND(RAND() * (200-10) + 10) as rd, 200 as two, 10 as ten FROM dual' ); $r = mysql_fetch_array( $r ); } $end = microtime(1); echo ($end - $start) . " for MySQL select".PHP_EOL; echo ':::::::::::::::::::::::::BEGINNING PHP RAND::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::' .PHP_EOL; $start = microtime(1); for( $i = 0; $i < 100000; $i++ ) { $r = mysql_query( 'SELECT 200 AS two, 10 AS tem FROM dual' ); $r = mysql_fetch_array( $r ); $r[2]= rand($r[0], $r[1]); } $end = microtime(1); echo ($end - $start) . " for PHP select".PHP_EOL;
MySQL comes out behind by 3-4% (very inconsistent results) (about the same results if you don't use an array index assignment for $r[2]).
The major difference, it seems, comes from the number of records return to PHP and not the randomization system itself. So, if you need column A, column B, and a random value, use PHP. If you only need the random value, then use MySQL.
This method guarantees the same statistical probability for each value:
SELECT FLOOR((RAND() * (max-min+1))+min)
If you love us? You can donate to us via Paypal or buy me a coffee so we can maintain and grow! Thank you!
Donate Us With