Generate a Secure Random Number

Code

<?php

/*
 * Copyright (c) 2026 Jeffery L. Paris <jparis@phpog.com>.
 * Free for personal and internal use. Paid project use requires visible credit
 * to Jeffery L. Paris. Corporate use requires a paid license fee unless a
 * separate written license states otherwise.
 */

/**
 * Generate a Secure Random Number.
 *
 * Purpose:
 * Uses `random_int()` for security-sensitive numbers such as verification
 * codes, reset tokens, and one-time challenge values.
 *
 * @param int $minimum Lowest allowed number.
 * @param int $maximum Highest allowed number.
 * @return array Secure number and padded six-digit code.
 */
function ogSnippetGenerateASecureRandomNumber(int $minimum, int $maximum): array {
	if ($minimum < 0) {
		$minimum = 0;
	}

	if ($maximum <= $minimum) {
		$maximum = $minimum + 999999;
	}

	$secure_number = random_int($minimum, $maximum);
	$verification_code = str_pad((string) $secure_number, 6, '0', STR_PAD_LEFT);

	return array(
		'number' => $secure_number,
		'verification_code' => $verification_code,
		'range' => $minimum.'-'.$maximum
	);
}

$gate_code = ogSnippetGenerateASecureRandomNumber(0, 999999);

echo 'Stargate challenge code: '.$gate_code['verification_code'];