How do I echo a random row in PHP/MySQL?

Question

I've been going through a number of guides on how to echo data from a random row in a MySQL database and I keep arriving at a blank page.

Here is what I believe to be the best version of code I have so far:

<?php $username="root";$password="notarealpassword";$database="offenders";

mysql_connect(localhost,$username,$password);

@mysql_select_db($database) or die( "Unable to select database");


$sSQLQuery = "SELECT last_name AND first_name FROM offenders ORDER BY RAND() LIMIT 1";  
$aResult = mysql_query($sSQLQuery); 
WHILE ($aRow = mysql_fetch_array($aResult)):
echo $aRow['last_name'] . " " . $row['first_name'];
ENDWHILE; 

?>

I have tested and made sure the connection to the database is working. Why am I arriving at a blank page and how can I fix it?

Thanks so much!

Because you close the connection first with mysql_close and then try to execute a query, also note that mysql_* functions are deprecated, look at mysqli_*. — Ende Neu
– Ende Neu, Commented Aug 28, 2014 at 23:15
The issue is that 'localhost' should be in quotes. Its a string literal not a variable. Also, aesthetically, I'd suggest dropping the :...ENDWHILE; syntax and using {...}. I did VB at one time too, but thank God for C-style syntax. — developerwjk
– developerwjk, Commented Aug 28, 2014 at 23:18

Ende Neu · Accepted Answer · 2014-08-28 23:21:09Z

1

Don't call mysql_close before making queries;
mysql functions are deprecated, use mysqli instead;
I would use curly brackets instead of WHILE - ENDWHILE;

Column selected must be comma separated (not AND separated):

$sSQLQuery = "
    SELECT 
      last_name, <- here
      first_name 
    FROM offenders 
    ORDER BY RAND() LIMIT 1";

answered Aug 28, 2014 at 23:21

Ende Neu

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Comments

user3349436 · Accepted Answer · 2014-08-28 23:20:46Z

1

Try to change three lines

1

mysql_connect('localhost',$username,$password);

2

mysql_select_db($database) or die( "Unable to select database");

3

$sSQLQuery = "SELECT last_name, first_name FROM offenders ORDER BY RAND() LIMIT 1";

answered Aug 28, 2014 at 23:20

user3349436

1515 bronze badges

2 Comments

user3246092 Over a year ago

The third correction is what did it. Wonder why that guide had me using 'AND'. Thanks a ton!

user557846 Over a year ago

what guide? i seriously doubt they used AND

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