RE: [PHP] retrieving random data from mysql database

> When you say, > Order by RAND() > I would think the "Order by" construct expects a column name. > In your case, it gets a decimal value. > How does "Order by" treat decimal values? > Oh, I just checked the manual: > In MySQL Version 3.23, you can, however, do: SELECT * FROM > table_name ORDER BY RAND() > I still don't understand how does "Order by" work with a > decimal value!!! I don't pretend to have all the answer. I just know that I had reason to work this one out for myself a while back and when I consulted the MySQL manual it gave sample code on what to do in MySQL to achieve this result. I accepted that fact and used it. I haven't needed any deeper information on this one so I haven't looked. I suspect if you really want to know how it works then you'll have to ask this question again on a MySQL-specific list - and perhaps even a MySQL developers list. CYA, Dave