ResultSet randomizing

[Baba Bizlowsky]

Hi everybody.
I have the following problem. I need to get a ResultSet from a database and then display all of its rows in random order. And I would like to do then in the most elegant way.
My best solution so far was to make an array of numbers from 1 to whatever the number of records in the ResultSet is, than jumble the array up with a simple mixing algorithm, and finally read the rows from the ResultSet sequentially using the number from this array and the ResultSet.absolute(int) method.
I don't think this is the most effective solution though, and I was wondering whether there was an easier way.
So, ideas anyone?
[ February 26, 2004: Message edited by: Baba Bizlowsky ]

[Jeanne Boyarsky]

Baba,
I would copy the records from the resultset into another data structure (array, arraylist, ...) first, so you can close the resultset. You can use your mixing algorithm on this data structure and then loop through it to display the results.

[SJ Adnams]

you could find some to incorporate DBMS_RANDOM.RANDOM into your SQL?

[Tom Blough]

Baba,
I think SJ is recommending to use your DBs Random function to include a new columun in your output and then order by the random field:

SELECT this, that, the_other, RND() as rank
FROM whatever
ORDER BY rank;

You should then be able to iterate through your recordset in the normal way and end up with the records in random order.
Tom Blough