Display random post on a page with post permalink in URL

Question

I have seen many snippets to display random post/posts on a page. Most of them provide a function or wp_query code to be directly placed where it is required. In the end they tell to create a template random.php and page with name RANDOM. So, when one wants to access that page, they can look for a link pointing as http://domain.com/random/. And every time, I find the same URL -->http://domain.com/random/. What I want is to display the URL of the post i.e permalink in the address bar, whenever one clicks on random page link e.g post-permalink. I use this piece of code.

    query_posts(array(
    'showposts' => 1,
    'orderby' => 'rand',
    ));
if (have_posts()) : while (have_posts()) : the_post();

I don't know much about using 'base' and 'format' arguments in the array, they might serve purpose.

Thanks

Answer 1

What you are asking is how to redirect the visitor to a random post. Here you go:

<?php
/*
 * Template Name: Random Redirect
 */

query_posts(
    array(
        'showposts' => 1,
        'orderby' => 'rand',
    )
);

if (have_posts()) : while (have_posts()) : the_post();

header( 'Location: ' . get_the_permalink() , false , 303 );

The syntax is

void header ( string $string [, bool $replace = true [, int $http_response_code ]] )

... and the 303 status code denominates «See other».

Answer 2

<?php
/*
Template Name: Random Post
*/
get_header(); ?>
<section>
<div class="inner">
    <?php
        query_posts(array('orderby' => 'rand', 'showposts' => 1));
        if (have_posts()) : while (have_posts()) : the_post(); ?>
<div <?php post_class() ?> id="post-<?php the_ID(); ?>">
<h1 class="entry-title"><?php the_title(); ?></h1>
<div class="entry-content">
                            <?php the_content(); ?>
            </div>
</div>
        <?php endwhile; ?>
    </div>
</section>
<?php get_sidebar(); ?>
<?php get_footer(); ?>

Hope this code will help you to fix your problem