Basically the method works like this.

N is the number of items in the array.

Pick an element from 1 to N at random. Switch that element with the first element.

Now pick an element between 2 and N at random. Switch that element with the second element.

Then pick an element beween 3 and N at random. And switch that element with the third element.

Repeat those two step N-1 times and you have shuffled the array.

If that doesn't explain it for you, try getting a pack of card, put them in order and do the process manually.Even using cards 1 to 6 and a dice, and doing the process a couple of times should clarify things if my words don't help.

In Perl, the counting runs 0 to N-1 each time, but the logic remains the same.

Nah! You're thinking of Simon Templar, originally played (on UKTV) by Roger Moore and later by Ian Ogilvy

In reply to Re: Shuffle an array by BrowserUk
in thread Shuffle an array by FireBird34

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