Problem with random results and pagination

Hi,,

I have a search engine pulling the results from a MYSQL database with pagination.

THE PROBLEM: I need the results to come up random on all the pages after each search or whenever the page is refreshed without doubling. I can do it with one page but the problem is with more pages.

I'll be very grateful if somebody can come up with any ideas as I cannot find a solution anywhere.

 

It shouldn't be hard if you think of it logically, what you have to understand are the parameters of LIMIT - first param is the offset, second param is the rows per page.

Here's a little calculation of offset that I just thought up:

   function calculateOffset($pageNum, $rowsPerPage) {
      $tempOffset = $pageNum * $rowsPerPage;
      return ($tempOffset > $rowsPerPage) ? ceil($tempOffset-$rowsPerPage) : 0;
   }

PHP:

$pageNum is the current page number, which is usually page 1. This changes when you go to page 2 and so on.