quick selection of a random row from a large table in mysql

Question

What is a fast way to select a random row from a large mysql table?

I\'m working in php, but I\'m interested in any solution even if it\'s in another language.

Answer 1

Create a Function to do this most likely the best answer and most fastest answer here!

Pros - Works even with Gaps and extremely fast.

0){
       return $fetch_$data;
      }else{
       rando('','',$max); // Start Over the results returned nothing
      }
   }else{
     if($max != '0'){
        $irand = rand(0,$max); 
        rando('s1',$irand,$max); // Start rando with new random ID to fetch
     }else{

        $query = mysqli_query($sqlConnect, "SELECT `id` FROM `yourtable` ORDER BY `id` DESC LIMIT 0,1");
        $fetched_data = mysqli_fetch_assoc($query);
        $max = $fetched_data['id'];
        $irand = rand(1,$max);
        rando('s1',$irand,$max); // Runs rando against the random ID we have selected if data exist will return
     }
   }
 }

 $your_data = rando(); // Returns listing data for a random entry as a ASSOC ARRAY
?>

Please keep in mind this code as not been tested but is a working concept to return random entries even with gaps.. As long as the gaps are not huge enough to cause a load time issue.