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Retrieving random records from a database is a common requirement in web applications, enabling dynamic content display or randomizing results for various purposes. In CodeIgniter 4, a robust PHP framework, obtaining random database records is facilitated through efficient query methods.

In this tutorial, we’ll see the process of fetching random database records in CodeIgniter 4. This functionality allows applications to display diverse content or provide random recommendations, enhancing user experience and engagement.

Let’s get started.

CodeIgniter 4 Installation

To create a CodeIgniter 4 setup run this given command into your shell or terminal. Please make sure composer should be installed.

composer create-project codeigniter4/appstarter codeigniter-4

Assuming you have successfully installed application into your local system.

Environment (.env) Setup

When we install CodeIgniter 4, we will have env file at root. To use the environment variables means using variables at global scope we need to do env to .env

Either we can do via renaming file as simple as that. Also we can do by terminal command.

Open project in terminal

cp env .env

Above command will create a copy of env file to .env file. Now we are ready to use environment variables.

Enable Development Mode

CodeIgniter starts up in production mode by default. You need to make it in development mode to see any error if you are working with application.

Open .env file from root.

# CI_ENVIRONMENT = production

 // Do it to 
 
CI_ENVIRONMENT = development

Now application is in development mode.

Method #1: Random Database Records (Query Builder)

We will consider a controller and a posts table.

Create Controller

To create a controller, run this command.

php spark make:controller DataController

It will create DataController.php inside /app/Controllers folder.

Open DataController.php and write this complete code into it.

<?php

namespace App\Controllers;

use App\Controllers\BaseController;

class DataController extends BaseController
{
	public function index()
	{
		$this->db = db_connect();

		$builder = $this->db->table("posts");

		$builder->orderBy('rand()');

		$builder->limit(5);

		$query = $builder->get();

		$posts = $query->getResult();

		echo "<pre>";
		print_r($posts);
	}
}

Here, above code returns random 5 records from posts table of database on every page reload.

Concept

The RAND() function in MySQL is used to a return random floating-point value V in the range 0 <= V < 1.0.

$builder->orderBy('rand()');

Method #2: Random Database Records (Model Based)

We will consider a controller and a posts table.

Open DataController.php and write this complete code into it.

<?php

namespace App\Controllers;

use App\Controllers\BaseController;
use App\Models\Post;

class DataController extends BaseController
{
	public function index()
	{
		$postObject = new Post();

		$posts = $postObject->orderBy('rand()')->findAll(5);

		echo "<pre>";
		print_r($posts);
	}
}

Here, above code returns random 5 records from posts table of database on every page reload.

Concept

The RAND() function in MySQL is used to a return random floating-point value V in the range 0 <= V < 1.0.

$posts = $postObject->orderBy('rand()')->findAll(5);

That’s it.

We hope this article helped you to learn CodeIgniter 4 How to get Random Database Records Tutorial in a very detailed way.

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