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

I knew there had to be a way to do it in a single query in a fast way. And here it is:

A fast way without involvement of external code, kudos to

http://jan.kneschke.de/projects/mysql/order-by-rand/

SELECT name
  FROM random AS r1 JOIN
       (SELECT (RAND() *
                     (SELECT MAX(id)
                        FROM random)) AS id)
        AS r2
 WHERE r1.id >= r2.id
 ORDER BY r1.id ASC
 LIMIT 1;