Randomize the data in a multidimensional array (second tier)

Question

I have a multidimensional array like this one:

Array
(
    [site1] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [0] => data
                    [1] => data
                    [2] => data
                    [3] => data
                )

            [1] => Array
                (
                    [0] => data
                    [1] => data
                    [2] => data
                    [3] => data

                )

            [2] => Array
                (
                    [0] => data
                    [1] => data
                    [2] => data
                    [3] => data

                )

    [site2] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [0] => data
                    [1] => data
                    [2] => data
                    [3] => data
                )

            [1] => Array
                (
                    [0] => data
                    [1] => data
                    [2] => data
                    [3] => data
                )

            [2] => Array
                (
                    [0] => data
                    [1] => data
                    [2] => data
                    [3] => data
                )
         )
)

I am trying to randomize the data for each site ([site1], [site2]) but don't mix the data between sites. So it would be like a second tire randomization.

For example, after the randomization, the position [0] for [site1] would have different data, maybe the data from the earlier position [3].

Any ideas how to do it?

hakre · Accepted Answer · 2012-09-23 21:57:36Z

3

You map the shuffle function to the array:

$shuffle = function($array) {
    $r = shuffle($array);
    return $array;
};

$sites = array_map($shuffle, $sites);

Or:

foreach ($sites as &$site) shuffle($site);
unset($site);

edited Sep 23, 2012 at 21:57

answered Sep 23, 2012 at 21:38

hakre

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7 Comments

webmasters Over a year ago

This looks classy but it does not work; maybe I can give you a link to my site and a print_r to take a look at the actual array? The site has light adult content so I hope you won't mind.

hakre Over a year ago

Well you could also just tell what does not work in your case ;)

webmasters Over a year ago

After I apply the above function I get: Array ( [site1] => 1 [site2] => 1 [site3] => 1 ) All the data for each site has gone.

clentfort Over a year ago

This is because shuffle returning either true or false and not the "randomized" array. So array_map will use the return value of shuffle as the value.

webmasters Over a year ago

Ty clenfort, any ideas on what to do?

|

clentfort · Accepted Answer · 2012-09-23 21:37:40Z

1

foreach($sites as $i => $site) {
   shuffle($sites[$i]);
}

answered Sep 23, 2012 at 21:37

clentfort

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Comments

AlexP · Accepted Answer · 2012-09-23 21:50:41Z

0

Another, (not as good as shuffle) way ;-)

foreach ($site as $key => $data) {
  $values = array();
  $rand   = array_rand($data, count($data));
  for ($i = 0; $i < count($rand); $i++)) {
    $values[] = $site[$key][$rand[$i]];  
  }
  $site[$key] = $values;
}

answered Sep 23, 2012 at 21:50

AlexP

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