Multiple random lines from text file

[encyclo]

I'm hoping some of you experts can help me with this: I have a text file with HTML fragments, one on each line. I want to display 4 of these lines, in a random order, with no repetition. Here's what I have so far:

<?php 
$filename = $_SERVER["DOCUMENT_ROOT"].'/inc/pub/pub_array.inc'; 
if ($fileContents = file_get_contents($filename)) { 
$contentsArray = explode("\n", $fileContents);

$numLines = count($contentsArray)-1; 
print($contentsArray[rand(0,$numLines)] . "\n"); // 1 
print($contentsArray[rand(0,$numLines)] . "\n"); // 2 
print($contentsArray[rand(0,$numLines)] . "\n"); // 3 
print($contentsArray[rand(0,$numLines)] . "\n"); // 4  
} 
else { 
die('Could not get contents of: ' . $filename); 
} 
?>

This provides the randomness, but there are repeating entries - in other words, some lines from the text file are shown twice or more. I've looked at the PHP function

array_rand

, but I don't know whether it would do the trick, or how to adapt it...

Anyone have any ideas?

Many thanks for your help!

Added: I'm using PHP 4.3.4

[coopster]

shuffle [php.net] may give you what you want -- random lines but not repeats. And, first off, let's get rid of an extra step. The PHP file() [php.net] function will return the results in an array for you. No need to explode on the newlines:

<?php  
$filename = $_SERVER["DOCUMENT_ROOT"].'/inc/pub/pub_array.inc'; 
$how_many_to_show = 4; 
if ($fileContents = file($filename)) { 
 shuffle($fileContents); 
 for ($i = 0; $i < $how_many_to_show; $i++) { 
  print($fileContents[$i]. '<br />'); 
 } 
} else { 
 die('Could not get contents of: ' . $filename); 
} 
?>

[encyclo]

coopster - you are a genius! Works perfectly!

Thank you so much! I promise I'll contribute more when I understand this PHP thing better... ;)

encyclo

[coopster]

Genius? (smiles...blushes...humbles himself before replying) ...Thank You.

>>I promise I'll contribute more when I understand this PHP thing better...

We'll hold you to that :)