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

I've done this to create a random 8 digit password for users:

$characters = array(
    "A","B","C","D","E","F","G","H","J","K","L","M",
    "N","P","Q","R","S","T","U","V","W","X","Y","Z",
    "a","b","c","d","e","f","g","h","i","j","k","m",
    "n","p","q","r","s","t","u","v","w","x","y","z",
    "1","2","3","4","5","6","7","8","9");

for( $i=0;$i<=8;++$i ){
    shuffle( $characters );
    $new_pass .= $characters[0];
}