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random questions from sql server

Anonymous User 2511 07 May 2013
Hi! Everyone!

I am working on a survey application. I have a sql server database holding upto 3000 survey questions. I call database for a set of 10 questions. I have to make sure 

that none of the of the questions are repeated for the longest time possible. What is the best possible approach I can take here? Write a custom randomization 

algorithm or SQL server provides some functionality.

Please help me!

Thanks in advance!
mssql server mssql server
Updated 07 May 2013
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1 Answers

AVADHESH PATEL
AVADHESH PATEL 07 May 2013
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Hi Loos!

SELECT question_id
FROM questions 
ORDER BY NEWID()
gives you all the question ids in random order. store the list, and work your way down.

There isn't a way to ensure the longest time between repeats without storing the order. You could make it another column on the same table...

EDIT: a variation on Mr Jacques' idea:

how about a column named random? Shuffle the order like so:

update questions set random = (
    SELECT question_id
    FROM questions 
    ORDER BY NEWID()
)
then get each new question like this:

select * where random = 'prev_question_id';
Then you could shuffle the order at intervals, every night maybe.
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