Random questions display

**djmattd** · Feb 24, 2004 08:27

Hello all,

I've just started to write a LCMS where administrators can create and publish tests / quizzes for students.

The first stumbling block I've come up against is how I'm going to display the possible answers in a random order.

Here is how things are stored in the DB (MySQL):

Question_id
Question_text
Correct_answer
Alt_answer_1
Alt_answer_2
Alt_answer_3

What I want to be able to do is echo out the Question text at the top of the page, but then randomise the possible answers so that the correct answer is not always at the top.

I figured that hard coding place holders for the correct answer and alt answers is obviously the wrong way to go because then they'll always appear in their designated place.

Can anyone offer some possible solutions to my problem.

Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Matt

**Technosailor** · Feb 24, 2004 08:37

Might take a look at the rand() and microtime() functions and feed the answers into an array that can then be called via the array key. If that makes sense.

Aaron

**coo_t2** · Feb 24, 2004 09:15

You could also put the answers in an array and apply the
shuffle function on the array. Then echo them out in a loop.

<?php

PHP Code:


 $answersArr = array('answer1', 'answer2', 'answer3');
 //srand for older version of php
 srand((float)microtime() * 1000000);
 shuffle($answersArr);
 foreach ($answersArr as $answer) 
 {
    echo "$answer <br> ";
 }