PHP - Random Number Probelms

[Fruitpastles]

Hi,

I'm trying to get this script to work. It is supposed to fill an array with 6 different random numbers, but for some reason it fills it with the same number, despite me recalling the function to generate the numbers.

<?php

function random(){ //function to generate random number
    srand(time());                    
    $random = (rand()%6)+1;
        return $random;
}

for($i=1;$i<7;$i++){ //fill '$code' array, with '$random'
    $code[$i] = random();
}

for($i=1;$i<7;$i++){ //output array - debug
    echo($code[$i]);
    echo("<br>");
}
  
?>

Any help is greatly appreciated  :D

[SomeoneE1se]

<?php

function random(){
        srand(time());
        $code = array(rand(1, 6), rand(1, 6), rand(1, 6), rand(1, 6), rand(1, 6), rand(1, 6));
        return $code;
}

var_dump(random());

?>

[cooper]

The rand function works with a pseudo random number generator. I.e. it's deterministic (as opposed to random) from a given seed. You can get away with that for most applications if your seed is sufficiently unique and hard to guess. The problem with your program is that when you seed your PRNG you're effectively resetting it. And since you're seeding your PNG with a rather constant value (the amount of seconds since 1-1-1970) you end up with the same number for all 6 positions in your array in almost all cases.

Also, both of you, please consider the PHP.net documentation of the rand() method, which clearly states:

Note: As of PHP 4.2.0, there is no need to seed the random number generator with srand() or mt_srand() as this is now done automatically.

[SomeoneE1se]

The rand function works with a pseudo random number generator. I.e. it's deterministic (as opposed to random) from a given seed. You can get away with that for most applications if your seed is sufficiently unique and hard to guess. The problem with your program is that when you seed your PRNG you're effectively resetting it. And since you're seeding your PNG with a rather constant value (the amount of seconds since 1-1-1970) you end up with the same number for all 6 positions in your array in almost all cases.

Also, both of you, please consider the PHP.net documentation of the rand() method, which clearly states:

Note: As of PHP 4.2.0, there is no need to seed the random number generator with srand() or mt_srand() as this is now done automatically.

I knew that too, I don't know why I left that in there.

Thanks cooper

[Fruitpastles]

Thanks you two!!!!