get random value from a PHP array, but make it unique

Question

I want to select a random value from a array, but keep it unique as long as possible.

For example if I\'m selecting a value 4 times from a array of 4 elements, the s

Answer 1

How about shuffling the array, and popping items off.

When pop returns null, reset the array.

$orig = array(..);
$temp = $orig;
shuffle( $temp );

function getNextValue()
{
  global $orig;
  global $temp;

  $val = array_pop( $temp );

  if (is_null($val))
  {
    $temp = $orig;
    shuffle( $temp );
    $val = getNextValue();
  }
  return $val;
}

Of course, you'll want to encapsulate this better, and do better checking, and other such things.