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:
- $array (mandatory): This is a mandatory parameter and refers to the original input array.
- $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 :
$array = ("ram"=>"20", "krishna"=>"42", "aakash"=>"15")
Output : krishna
Below programs illustrates the array_rand() function in PHP:
-
In the below program we have passed our second parameter that specifies the number of elements to be returned.
<?php// PHP function to illustrate the use// of array_rand()$array=array("ram"=>"20","krishna"=>"42","aakash"=>"15");$num= 2;print_r(array_rand($array,$num));?>Output:
Array ( [0] => ram [1] => krishna ) -
Now let’s see what will happen if we don’t pass the second parameter.
<?php// PHP function to illustrate the// use of array_rand()$array=array("ram"=>"20","krishna"=>"42","aakash"=>"15");print_r(array_rand($array));?>Output:
aakash
