ORDER BY RAND() returns duplicates

Question

I tried using distinct as well and it returns duplicates.

$cubes = mysql_query("SELECT distinct * FROM posts ORDER BY RAND() $limit ") or die(mysql_error());

I just want to take my posts table... and return it in a random order without duplicates.

Answer 1

Are you sure that you want to execute a SELECT DISTINCT * FROM ... and not just a SELECT DISTINCT column_name FROM ... ?

See the SQL DISTINCT STATEMENT doc for more infos.

Answer 2

Select only the distinct id's you need, e.g.

SELECT distinct id FROM posts ORDER BY RAND() $limit

Distinct works over 'all' rows you select, so if you (for example) have a unique timestamp field, chances are you'll return every single row.