note merlyn I question the need to randomize the file and rewrite it in the first place. Using something like [cpan://DBD::SQLite], you can store this stuff into a structured flat file, then write a series of random numbers into a second column, and then select items from your entries column based on a sort of the second column (or write a shuffled index list into the second column). <p> Anytime something sounds this hard, it's better to back up a step and say "what corner did I paint myself in to, and how did I get here?". Always question the context. <div class="pmsig"><div class="pmsig-9073"> <p>-- [http://www.stonehenge.com/merlyn/|Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker] <br> Be sure to read [id://205373|my standard disclaimer] if this is a reply.</p> </div></div> 303841 303841