How can i optimize MySQL's ORDER BY RAND() function?

Question

I\'d like to optimize my queries so I look into mysql-slow.log.

Most of my slow queries contains ORDER BY RAND(). I cannot find a real solu

Answer 1

The solution for your dummy-example would be:

SELECT  accomodation.ac_id,
        accomodation.ac_status,
        accomodation.ac_name,
        accomodation.ac_status,
        accomodation.ac_images
FROM    accomodation,
        JOIN 
            accomodation_category 
            ON accomodation.ac_category = accomodation_category.acat_id
        JOIN 
            ( 
               SELECT CEIL(RAND()*(SELECT MAX(ac_id) FROM accomodation)) AS ac_id
            ) AS Choices 
            USING (ac_id)
WHERE   accomodation.ac_id >= Choices.ac_id 
        AND accomodation.ac_status != 'draft'
        AND accomodation_category.acat_slug != 'vendeglatohely'
        AND ac_images != 'b:0;'
LIMIT 1

To read more about alternatives to ORDER BY RAND(), you should read this article.