if statment for the scenario variable is undefined

[greenheart]

Hello I have a variable $work that is defined by a search of a document for a certain string of words. Sometimes those words don't exist, so i would like to have an if statment like:

 

if($work == NULL){$work = "no match found"}

 

but one that works. I'm trying to say if variable $work doesn't exist (is null) then relabel it "no match found".

 

Please advise me how to change my attempt to get this to work.

 

Thank you

[mikesta707]

if (!isset($work) || empty($work)){
//whatever
}

[greenheart]

Thanks. Can you explain what I need to put in where whatever is?

 

Will

 

$work = "no match found"

 

do it? Because I tried that and it didn't work.

[greenheart]

Basically it gives no match found for every case, when there are cases when the variable is definitely not null.

[mikesta707]

post the code that comes before and after that if statement. I can't tell you whats wrong with so little information