selecting a random item from an array

[BCyo+8C4]

Hi,
I've got an array that's populated using

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set players($nick) 1

, the "1" there is increased depending on certain events later.

Now my problem: I want to select a random item (= nick) from the $players array, but I can't figure out how to do it.

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set tnick [lindex $players [rand [llength $players]]]

just tells me later on that can't read "tnick": no such variable and I have no idea what code I'd have to use instead.

Thx for any help.

PS: I only need a random nick from the array, not the number behind it.

[nml375]

players is an array, not a flat variable containing a list... big difference there..
The command you need to use with arrays is called array.
llength only operates on lists, same goes for lindex.

[BCyo+8C4]

I tried various array commands as well, like this one:

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set tnick [[array names $players] [rand [array size $players]]]

I spent about 1,5h trying to figure this out already, the help files don't help me with this anymore. So could you please tell me how to do it?

[nml375]

Have a second look at "array names", and you should see that it returns a list of keys in the array. That on it's own is quite unusable as a command.
But, since you now got a list of names, make use of commands such as lindex to actually select an item from that list...

[BCyo+8C4]

seriously, I already played ages with those commands and couldn't figure it out. if you want to help me please do so, but don't make me look like someone who doesn't rtfm!

[rosc2112]

In other words, get the array names into a list variable, then pull the random name you want, then use that name to get the data from the array!

[Sir_Fz]

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set playersList [array names players]
set tnick [lindex $playersList [rand [llength $playersList]]]

Edit: Thanks Tosser^^

[r0t3n]

a little error there Sir_Fz, forgot the rand...

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set playersList [array names players]
set tnick [lindex $playersList [rand [llength $playersList]]]

or in one line:

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set tnick [lindex [array names players] [rand [array names players]]]

[BCyo+8C4]

thanks guys. I had already tried that method before but due to an error later in the script the $tnick wouldn't be picked up (strangely it was when I had set it manually, that's why I didn't figure it at first)