Count number of DIFFERENT items in array

[Guest]

Hello,

 

i am using mysql_fetch_array to display a basic query

 

then i echo each one of the entry found

 

i would like to count how many DIFFERENT entries are found

 

with mysql_num_rows it will just count the total entries found

[DarkWater]

What do you mean?  Do you want to compare two arrays?  O_O  Or do you want the number of rows returned by mysql...elaborate please.

[Guest]

$cres = mysql_query($cquery) or die(mysql_error());  
while($row = mysql_fetch_array($cres)) {  
$cfields = $row["customfields"];
echo $cfields;
}

 

this code will return a list like this

 

cat
dog
horse
cat
cat
fish

 

I want to count the number of DIFFERENT items, in this array

(in example it would be 4 different items)

 

mysql_num_rows would return 6

[DarkWater]

$cres = mysql_query($cquery) or die(mysql_error());  
while($row = mysql_fetch_array($cres)) {  
$cfields = $row["customfields"];
echo $cfields;
}

 

this code will return a list like this

 

cat
dog
horse
cat
cat
fish

 

I want to count the number of DIFFERENT items, in this array

(in example it would be 4 different items)

 

mysql_num_rows would return 6

 

$unique_elements = count(array_unique($array));

 

It leaves the original array untouched, mind you.

[Guest]

i always get "1" as result ...

 

am i supposed to replace $array by $cres or something?

[Styles2304]

you'll replayed $array with whatever the name of your array is.

[AndyB]

Have you tried using SELECT DISTINCT ... for your query?

[DarkWater]

Have you tried using SELECT DISTINCT ... for your query?

 

I've actually never heard of that.   But he might need to use the rows for something, but he also wants to count the unique elements.  He still needs them returned by the database, probably.  So my solution works fine. xD

[AndyB]

So my solution works fine. xD

 

Or less than 'fine' with a very large database

[DarkWater]

So my solution works fine. xD

 

Or less than 'fine' with a very large database

 

But what if the unique section that he's looking for has other information on the row?  He might need the information.

 

P.S: @Thread starter: Add a unique key to something that REALLY has to be unique next time.

[AndyB]

But what if the unique section that he's looking for has other information on the row?  He might need the information.

 

Perhaps we should re-read the original question?  Then again, scope creep is nothing new in these forums.

[DarkWater]

But what if the unique section that he's looking for has other information on the row?  He might need the information.

 

Perhaps we should re-read the original question?  Then again, scope creep is nothing new in these forums.

 

His first post is ambiguous.  You have NO idea what he's actually doing with the data other than "then i echo each one of the entry found".  We have two different opinions on coding, so leave it at that.  Holy crap. =/

[ToonMariner]

problem with your solution Darkwater is that no array is actually generated...

 

if including distinct in the query produces the desired result and permits any other interaction required then that would be the best solution.  If however the rest of the data set is required for other jobs then creating an array of results would be necessary...

 

(I use mysql_fetch_assoc - for the simple reason that I rarely find returning fields by a numerical index very useful..)

$cres = mysql_query($cquery) or die(mysql_error());  
while($row = mysql_fetch_assoc($cres))
{  
$cfields[] = $row["customfields"];
echo $row["customfields"];
}

$unique_records = count(array_unique($cfields));

 

yes this is what darkwater said but the array $cfields  was never actually created....

[DarkWater]

problem with your solution Darkwater is that no array is actually generated...

 

if including distinct in the query produces the desired result and permits any other interaction required then that would be the best solution.  If however the rest of the data set is required for other jobs then creating an array of results would be necessary...

 

(I use mysql_fetch_assoc - for the simple reason that I rarely find returning fields by a numerical index very useful..)

$cres = mysql_query($cquery) or die(mysql_error());  
while($row = mysql_fetch_assoc($cres))
{  
$cfields[] = $row["customfields"];
echo $row["customfields"];
}

$unique_records = count(array_unique($cfields));

 

yes this is what darkwater said but the array $cfields  was never actually created....

 

He just wants the number of unique items.  If he wanted the array, he could just use:

$newarray = array_unique($oldarray);

$count = count($newarray);

 

But that's not what he asked for. =)  He wanted an equivalent to mysql_num_rows.

[ToonMariner]

 

He just wants the number of unique items.  If he wanted the array, he could just use:

$newarray = array_unique($oldarray);

$count = count($newarray);

 

But that's not what he asked for. =)  He wanted an equivalent to mysql_num_rows.

 

NO he wanted the number of UNIQUE records NOT just the mysql_num_rows....

 

 

So tell us - how can he get the number of unique items in the result if he is NOT going to use DISTINCT and doesn't create an array so that it can actually be interrogated for unique values????

 

PLEASE look at the code I posted once more - you'll see its correct....

[DarkWater]

 

He just wants the number of unique items.  If he wanted the array, he could just use:

$newarray = array_unique($oldarray);

$count = count($newarray);

 

But that's not what he asked for. =)  He wanted an equivalent to mysql_num_rows.

 

NO he wanted the number of UNIQUE records NOT just the mysql_num_rows....

 

 

So tell us - how can he get the number of unique items in the result if he is NOT going to use DISTINCT and doesn't create an array so that it can actually be interrogated for unique values????

 

PLEASE look at the code I posted once more - you'll see its correct....

 

That's exactly what I did...You don't realize that the count(array_unique()) bit doesn't overwrite the array.  He can still use it in a loop after he gets the number of unique records BECAUSE it doesn't overwrite it.

[ToonMariner]

Jesus H

 

Darkness...

 

I did acknowledge your correct stipulation in you code - what your FAILED TO DO was generate an array of the database results to run array_unique on...

 

If you look at my code you may spot '[]' in there somewhere - the giveaway of creating an array...

[DarkWater]

Jesus H

 

Darkness...

 

I did acknowledge your correct stipulation in you code - what your FAILED TO DO was generate an array of the database results to run array_unique on...

 

If you look at my code you may spot '[]' in there somewhere - the giveaway of creating an array...

 

Oh.  I thought he already had his array.  My bad.  I figured he'd know how to make an array, lol.