array

[marko.crni]

Hi

I need help with dynamically building dimensions of array. $arr can have 1 to n dimensions and value of each element can be anything.

Something like this:

$result = array();

// $arr can have dimensions 1 to n. Each entry is dimensions label
$arr = array("dim1.1","dim2.1","dim3.1");

$strDim = "['" . implode("']['", $arr) . "']";
eval('$result' . $strDim . " = 10;");

print_r($result);

 

Array

(

    [dim1.1] => Array

        (

            [dim2.1] => Array

                (

                    [dim3.1] => 10

                )

 

        )

 

)

 

This solution with eval is working but, i rather avoid it. Only other thing i can think of is recursive function call.

[genericnumber1]

I'm not sure what you're trying to accomplish, you just want a certain depth array with the final element a non-array, and all of the other arrays wrapping the final element? I could give you a recursive solution that results in the same array being built, but I'm not sure it would accomplish your goal. Could you explain what you are trying to accomplish?

 

For instance, this results in the same array, but isn't what you want, is it?

 

<?php
function buildArray($dimensions, &$root = array()) {
$curDimension = array_shift($dimensions);

if(!empty($dimensions)) {
	$root[$curDimension] = array();
	$root[$curDimension] = buildArray($dimensions, $root[$curDimension]);
}
else {
	$root = $curDimension;
}

return $root;
}


// $arr can have dimensions 1 to n. Each entry is dimensions label
$dimensions = array('dim1.1', 'dim2.1', 'dim3.1', '10');
$result = buildArray($dimensions);
print_r($result);
?>

[marko.crni]

The whole idea was to add entry to array, but dimensions, where to add, is in another array (don't ask why  )

I've came up with a similar solution with recursive array. Can anyone think of simpler solution?

I was trying with http://php.net/language.variables.variable, but unsuccessfully.

[marko.crni]

I forgot about one thing, and that makes problem even with function solution: assigning value can be a reference.

$dims = array('dim1', 'dim2', 'dim3');
$result['dim1']['dim2']['dim3'] =& $val;

So, only left solution is eval(). Does anybody have some other solution?

[genericnumber1]

I'm almost certain there's a better solution for your data structure than a thing like this. If you would explain what you're trying to accomplish we could probably help. If you're going to use eval() like that, at least encapsulate it in a function you can hide deep in your source tree in a file full of comments and apologies.