Question

My model returns data as mysql objects:

return $q->result();

Now, I want to shuffle/randomize the data and send it to the view file. But when I use the shuffle($data) on the object, it doesn’t work, gives out an error. I guess, it will only work if my model returns an array.

Is there any way I can shuffle/randomize the data without converting it to an array, or without making the model return an array.

Answer 1

Have you thought about add $this->db->order_by('id', 'random'); when generating the query? The first parameter is the field name and the second the order (possible values are “asc”, “desc”, and “random”). Have a look at the order_by function for more information.

EDIT:

Alternatively, you could use result_array() instead of results(). Here’s an example:

// PHP5
$shuffled_result = $this->db->get('table')->result_array();
shuffle($shuffled_result);

// PHP4
$query = $this->db->get('table');
$shuffled_result = $query->result_array();
shuffle($shuffled_result);