Random line

[shage]

Im trying to figure out the best way to random a line from a text file and after the random delete that line from the file. This way the same username cannot be picked twice thanks for any input

[lemmin]

You pretty much have to read in the entire file (if you don't know how many total lines there are) so you might as well just use file_get_contents:

$unames = explode("\n", file_get_contents('file.txt');
$rand = array_rand($unames);

//[...]

array_splice($unames, $rand);
file_put_contents('file.txt', implode("\n", $unames));

 

[wildteen88]

If each username is on its own line, then use file to read the text file. To pick a random username you'd use array_rand.

 

$usernames = file('usernames.txt');

// get a random username
$random_line = array_rand($usernames);
$random_username = $usernames[$random_line];
echo 'Current Username: ' . $random_username;

// remove the random username
unset($usernames[$random_line]);

// rewrite the usernames back to the text file.
$handle = fopen('usernames.txt', 'w');
$data = implode($usernames);
fwrite($handle, $data);
fclose($handle);

[Psycho]

Arrays have many useful functions that are rarely used. One example is array_shift() which will remove and return the first value int he array. You could use that (or array_pop() for th elast element) after randomizing the array. I think WildTeens' solution might be more efficient but I supply this as an alternative.

//Import file as an array by lines
$usernames = file('usernames.txt');
//Randomize the array
shuffle($usernames);
//Remove the first element
$random_username = array_shift($usernames);
echo 'Random Username: ' . $random_username;
//Rewrite remaining array back to file
$handle = fopen('usernames.txt', 'w');
fwrite($handle, implode('\n', $usernames);
fclose($handle);

 

Note, the previous solution used implode() without the parameter for the joining string. I don't think the rewritten values would be on separate lines in that instance. I modified it in my solution. If you go with the previous code you may need to modify that line.

[AbraCadaver]

I tend to use mjdamato's method, with the following exceptions:

 

1.  Don't implode() with a newline.  file() returns each element with a newline unless you pass the FILE_IGNORE_NEW_LINES flag, which might be a good thing to do here if you don't want to trim() the username.

2.  I use file_put_contents() anytime it works for the situation.