h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A1021645

Hi there R'Win...

I've been assigned to sub-edit your entry on PHP/bgcolor. It makes an interesting read, but I can't help but think this is all a little PHP3. Have you heard of the array_rand() function?

Here's how I'd do it...

<?php
$colours = array('#ffffff','#bbbbbb','#800080');
$bgcolour = $colours[array_rand($colours)];

echo "\n";
?>

...

That's for your benefit, mind. I'll wait for your approval to update the entry.

~

I have heard of that function. The original random script is the first array-less one. The array was an idea I had while writing the entry and at the time I hadn't really used arrays that much; now I've discovered how versatile and useful they can be.
Now, that is probably they way I would do it, too. Feel free to change it.

I think I'd rather add it, and change the way you've defined your arrays... there's no need to do a count in that C-style, as PHP has a (iirc) count($array) function to do it for you.

I can be your PHP guru if you like. Take a look at http://owlsound.co.uk/me/ which was all written in that wonderfully system-hogging language.

~

> I think I'd rather add it, and change the way you've defined your arrays

That's what I said (or at least that's what I meant). I agree entirely; now that I know more about arrays I see that that is a much better way of doing things and would do it like that myself has I done the entry now instead of back then.

> PHP has a (iirc) count($array) function

yes, it does; I've used it

> I can be your PHP guru if you like

No thanks; I believe I'm enough of a 'guru' (in knowldge if not age and beard length ) to manage on my own

> which was all written in that wonderfully system-hogging language.

If you mean PHP, then http://richardwinskill.co.uk is similarly powered (I can assure you there is no javascript anywhere) and http://galsing.richardwinskill.co.uk is the most powerful and versitile PHP script I've ever written, if i do say so myself...

Excellent stuff, sir!

I didn't mean any offence by offering my services. I've moved onto better climes since my PHP days (I'm a python man now, but I suspect that'll change in time).

I was a little surprised that you knew the ${$string}} trick for introspective variable reference and didn't know about arrays, mind. I couldn't live without my arrays (well, more specifically, lists and hashes/dictionaries - which is what PHP arrays really are)!

http://owlsound.co.uk/me/mm.php is my crowning achievement in PHP but I won't dare show you the source code as it's a complete nightmare. I suppose I should get round to writing a nice clean OO Python version of it sometime (note what I'm the Keeper of ... ).

~

Excellent stuff, sir!

I didn't mean any offence by offering my services. I've moved onto better climes since my PHP days (I'm a python man now, but I suspect that'll change in time).

I was a little surprised that you knew the ${$string}} trick for introspective variable reference and didn't know about arrays, mind. I couldn't live without my arrays (well, more specifically, lists and hashes/dictionaries - which is what PHP arrays really are)!

http://owlsound.co.uk/me/mm.php is my crowning achievement in PHP but I won't dare show you the source code as it's a complete nightmare. I suppose I should get round to writing a nice clean OO Python version of it sometime (note what I'm the Keeper of ... ).

~

I did know a bit about arrays, I just hadn't come across the array_rand() function at the time

I've done a bit of Python, but nothing really advanced; the most I've done is a small text-based adventure game and a simple Asteroids game

I like the mastermind script

array_rand() is actually a really simple PHP function to write:

function array_rand($array) {
return rand(count($array));
}

... mind you, that only works for numerical arrays, like the one in the example... the real array_rand() can return keys for hashed arrays too...

~

I know about array_rand() *now*; I've used it a fair bit. I just hadn't met it *then*

Blimey! Is this entry old, or are you just picking up PHP fast? I learned about array_rand() late too as my book (PHP4 Bible) does appear to leave it out altogether...

~

Well, both really. The entry was created on Dec 5th 2002 so it's a good few months old, and I pick up the odd function here and there; mainly from the PHP documentation at http://www.php.net.

Do you mind if I change your awfully complicated while() loop for something more useful in your article?

I think the following:

$colours = array(
"#ffffff",
"#ffff99",
"#00ccff",
"#66ff99",
"#ffcc00",
"#d7ebff",
"#ccffcc"
);

is better than your:

$c1 = "#ffffff";
$c2 = "#ffff99";
$c3 = "#00ccff";
$c4 = "#66ff99";
$c5 = "#ffcc00";
$c6 = "#d7ebff";
$c7 = "#ccffcc";

$colours = array();

$n=1;

while(isset(${"c$n"})){
$colours[] = ${"c$n"};
$n++;
}

but I won't change it if you'd not like me to.

~

PS I'm sorry about being so late here, I got tied up with project work and I've only just been freed from the cage!

Feel free.
Now that I've had more experience of PHP I know that's better and I would do it that way myself were I to re-do the entry

Thanks... Sorry to have kept you waiting. Expect a sub-edited entry by the end of the week.

No hurry

Well, I don't want the entry to celebrate its anniversary before going into the EG!

I doubt you work *that* slowly...

...you want to bet on that?

I don't know. Do you?

There should be a " work that slowly" after "Do you"...