Random element in get_post_meta array

Question

I have a custom field that contains a list of comma separated colors.

I want to randomly select one of those colors.

If get_post_meta returns an array I thought I could randomly pick from that array.

If I try to echo $rand_color_value it just gives me the whole array

How can I randomly select one color from the list in the custom field.

    $agrs = array(
        'post_type' => 'page',
        'tag' => 'colors'
    );

    $colorLoop = new WP_Query($agrs);

    if($colorLoop->have_posts()):
        while($colorLoop->have_posts()):
            $colorLoop->the_post();

    $theColor = get_post_meta($post->ID, 'colors', false);

    /*random color*/
    $rand_color = array_rand($theColor,1);
    $rand_color_value = $theColor[$rand_color];
    echo $rand_color_value; 

    ?>

    <?php endwhile; endif;?>

    <?php wp_reset_postdata; ?>

Answer 1

As the content of the meta data is actually a string (according to your comment), your code won't work. get_post_meta(), respectively get_metadata() will only deserialize the content if it's actually serialized.

So, if you can't change how the data is saved, ie make sure that an actual array or already serialized content is passed to update_post_meta(), then you have to manually explode your data into an array:

$theColor = get_post_meta($post->ID, 'colors', true);
$theColor = explode(',', $theColor);