Re: Determine variable with the lowest value?

OK thanks but I guess I didn't explain what I am trying to do properly. I need to be able to identify the variable name as well as pick the variable with the lowest value. Something like this: Whose turn is it to take out the garbage? Mike has done it 3 times Bob has done it 2 times Jane has done it 5 times etc... Therefore its Bob's turn..... "Eric McGrane" <emcgrane@anacomp.com> wrote in message news:20041014133835.32752.qmail@pb1.pair.com... > Why use the min function? Just sort the array and then grab the first > element in the sorted array. No random picking required. > > E > > "Paul" <pfine@of-law.com> wrote in message > news:20041014032015.69904.qmail@pb1.pair.com... > > Thanks guys. Yes I figured using an array and the MIN function would be a > > start. > > > > Now the random part..... > > > > > > > > > > "Boot" <pfine@of-law.com> wrote in message > > news:20041013221858.60629.qmail@pb1.pair.com... > > > Any help with this would be appreciated. > > > > > > I am trying to come up with something that will find which variable(s) > > have > > > the lowest value and inidicate which variable this is. In the event that > > > variables have an equally low value then it is to randomly pick one of > the > > > variables and idicate which this is. > > > > > > I have been able to do this by means of if comparisons but the more I > > > variables I add then the more complicated and messy it becomes. There > has > > to > > > be a simpler way. If it makes any difference, the variables could just > as > > > easily be array elements. > > > > > > example: > > > > > > $a = 2 > > > $b =2 > > > $c= 4 > > > $d= 5 > > > $e=6 > > > $f =7 > > > > > > the code should determine that $a and $b have the lowest value, and > > randomly > > > pick one of them. if $a was = 1 instead then it would just pick $a > > > > > > > > > Thanks for any suggestions!