function - I try to generate random (3 numbers) numbers with the php code, but when I try to return the value it doesn't work

Question

Here is the php script of mine: When I try to return value to $total and echo function generate_random_3 afterwards, in some cases it doesn't generate any number, please help

<?php
    function generate_random_3(){

        for($x=0; $x<3; $x++){
            $random[] = rand(1, 9);
        }
        list($first, $second, $third) = $random;

        if($first!=$second AND $first!=$third AND $second!=$third AND $first!=0){
            $total = $first.$second.$third;
            return $total;
            }else{
            generate_random_3();
            }
    }
    echo generate_random_3();
?>

Answer 1

function generate_random_3() {
  return rand(100,999);
}

echo generate_random_3();