This function generates random passwords. It’s useful when you have to reset someone’s account or when you create accounts that need a default password.

<?php
/*
Credits: Bit Repository

http://www.bitrepository.com/web-programming/php/generating-a-random-password.html

*/
function generate_random_password($chars = 7, $type = '')
{
$letters_array = range('a','z');
$numbers_array = range(1,9);

srand((float) microtime() * 10000000); // if PHP Version < 4.2.0 

if($type == 'letters')
{
$array = $letters_array;
}
else if($type == 'numbers')
{
$array = $numbers_array;
}
else
{
$array = array_merge($letters_array, $numbers_array);
}

$rand_keys = array_rand($array, $chars);

$password = '';

foreach($rand_keys as $key)
	{
	$password .= $array[$key];
	}

return $password;
}

$password = generate_random_password();

// Outputs a 7 characters password (default)
echo $password;

$password = generate_random_password(10);

// Outputs a 10 characters password
echo $password;
?>

$new_password = generate_random_password(10,'numbers');

// Outputs a numeric password containing only numbers.
echo $new_password;

NOTE: You can add ‘letters’ for the second parameter if you want to have only letters in the password.

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