PHP: How to generate a random, unique, alphanumeric string for use in a secret link?

Question

How would it be possible to generate a random, unique string using numbers and letters for use in a verify link? Like when you create an account on a website, and it sends y

Answer 1

Scott, yes you are very write and good solution! Thanks.

I am also required to generate unique API token for my each user. Following is my approach, i used user information (Userid and Username):

public function generateUniqueToken($userid, $username){

        $rand = mt_rand(100,999);
    $md5 = md5($userid.'!(&^ 532567_465 ///'.$username);

    $md53 = substr($md5,0,3);
    $md5_remaining = substr($md5,3);

    $md5 = $md53. $rand. $userid. $md5_remaining;

    return $md5;
}

Please have a look and let me know if any improvement i can do. Thanks