Re: mySQL-driven Random Quote generator

[Masem]

In "showkoan"...

    $rth=$dbh->prepare("select max(id) from zen order by id") 
        or die("Can't connect: ", $dbh->errstr);
    $rth->execute;
    $id=$rth->fetchrow_array;
    $selid=int(rand($id)+1);
    $tth=$dbh->prepare("select koan from zen where id=$selid") 
        or die("Can't connect: ",$dbh->errstr);

    $tth->execute;
    $koan = $tth->fetchrow_array;

This is the part of the code that I was interested in. I do believe that you can make this much simplier (and faster) with one SQL call:

    $tth=$dbh->prepare("select koan from zen order by rand() limit 1")
+ 
        or die("Can't connect: ",$dbh->errstr);

    $tth->execute;
    $koan = $tth->fetchrow_array;

("order by rand()" is mentioned in chapter 7 of the mysql doc, and I used this trick for a random quote generator of my own.)

---

Dr. Michael K. Neylon - [e-mail] || "You've left the lens cap of your mind on again, Pinky" - The Brain

[Hero Zzyzzx]

That "order by rand()" trick is great, thanks for the heads up! However it only works in 3.23.xx according to my New Riders mySQL book.

Duly noted, and thanks for the tip, Doc! I'll probably revisit this script sometime soon and make edits once I've gotten more feedback.