PDA

View Full Version : Mini Mods - Random Number Variable for use in Templates


roddy
06-26-2009, 10:00 PM
Ok, this is my first and probably only plug-in. I needed a random number variable in a template, spent an hour or so figuring out how to do it - may as well put it up here in case it saves anyone any time. Very simple.

All this does is create a variable, $randomnum, which is available for use in templates. This version returns 1, 2 or 3 on every pageload - I use it to randomly determine whether a banner should be left, center, or right aligned. You can change the range of the number via the xml file, or the plugin system in your admin panel.

Here's an example of how I use it in a template:

<div align="<if condition="$randomnum == 1">left</if><if condition="$randomnum == 2">center</if><if condition="$randomnum == 3">right</if>">
$adcode
</div>


Not planning to improve or support this, just chucking it out there in case it's handy for anyone. As I say, first plugin, so apologies if this post didn't follow any expected format.

R-D
06-27-2009, 07:41 AM
You should use mt_rand (http://www.php.net/mt_rand), it produces more random results. You can see just how uniform the results are when using rand here (http://portfolio.technoized.com/notes/26). Compare the first image with the second. :)

You probably don't need to buffer the output either, it seems unnecessary.