Non-database dynamic pagination Opinions please

Scripting a dynamic navigational menu (php) for a non-database site. Using the following menu:

First | Prev | Viewing 15-of- 16 | Next | Last

Where:
First is always the first file in the directory
Last is always the last file in the directory
Viewing is not an active link.
Previous and next work as they should work

The initial page load is a random file between first and last.

My question is how would you handle previous when the first file is diplayed?
And how would you handle next when the last file is displayed?

Making them non-active seems to be beyond my current skills so the choices seem to be:
Previous defaults to 1 when 1 is the current file or it loops to last.
and
Next defaults to last when last is the current file or it loops to 1.

Tell me what you think.

 

Dont use PHP so cannot give the exact code but you could create a datatable or array of all the files in a randomised order and then page through them - could hold the array in a session variable or cookie or such

 

yes, thats a possibility
or just make 1 variable: maxPages (nr of pages) and call your pages like
0.htm to MaxPages.htm

and then just randomize a nr and load pageNR.htm on your homepage
if current page is 0 don't href the 'previous' ancher and if page is same as your maxPages integer, don't href the 'next' ancher.

don't know PHP but should be something like:

currentpage = random number
maxPages=10

if currentpage > 0
hrefPrevious=currentPage-1

if currentPage < maxPages
hrefNext=currentPage+1

<a href="%hrefPrevious%"> Go Back </a>
<a href="%hrefNext%"> Next </a>

 

OK, guys, how about this:

<?php
if ($current_page != 1)
{echo "<a href='$first_page_url'>First</a> |";}
else
{echo "First |";}
echo "<a href='$prev_page_url'>Prev</a> |";
echo " Viewing $page_no -of- $max_pg ";
echo "| <a href='$next_page_url'>Next</a>";
if ($current_page != $max_pg)
{echo "| <a href='$last_page_url'>Last</a>";}
else
{echo "| Last";}
?>

PM me if you need further inspiration!

 

Who does that help create a random order of files in a directory Chrissy?

 

Hy ther, all! AstarothSolutions, read his original post - he did not ASK for code to create a random order of files - he asked for code that would handle disabling the controls in the case of first and last page. And that's what the code I posted does.

 

I stand corrected, apologies Chrissy

 

Chrissy

I have copied that code and will take a look at it a bit later. Whether it works or not Thanks for trying.


I will followup in this thread.