PHP array_rand() Function

This inbuilt function of PHP is used to fetch a random number of elements from an array. The element is a key and can return one or more than one key. On a practical basis, this is not that useful because the function uses pseudo-random number generator that is not suitable for cryptographic purposes. Syntax:

array_rand($array, $num)

Parameters: The function takes only two arguments and are described below:

1. $array (mandatory): This is a mandatory parameter and refers to the original input array.
2. $num (optional): This parameter refers to the number of random numbers needed to be returned. This has to be greater than or equal to one otherwise E_WARNING is thrown along.

Return Value: This function returns the random generated values from the array. The number of returned elements depends on the value of the $num, assigned to the function. Examples:

 Input : $array = ("ram"=>"20", "krishna"=>"42", "aakash"=>"15") $num = 2 Output : Array ( [0] => ram [1] => aakash ) Input : $array = ("ram"=>"20", "krishna"=>"42", "aakash"=>"15") Output : krishna 

Below programs illustrates the array_rand() function in PHP:

• In the below program we have passed our second parameter that specifies the number of elements to be returned. PHP

  <?php // PHP function to illustrate the use  // of array_rand() $array = array("ram"=>"20", "krishna"=>"42", "aakash"=>"15"); $num = 2; print_r(array_rand($array, $num)); ?> 

  Output:

   Array ( [0] => ram [1] => krishna ) 

• Now let's see what will happen if we don't pass the second parameter. PHP

  <?php // PHP function to illustrate the  // use of array_rand() $array = array("ram"=>"20", "krishna"=>"42", "aakash"=>"15"); print_r(array_rand($array)); ?> 

  Output:

   aakash 

Reference: https://www.php.net/manual/en/function.array-rand.php