Incrementing variable name

[benjam]

How can I go about incrementing a variable name without using interim variables?

 

Example:

I have several variables called $foo_0, $foo_1, $foo_2, $foo_3, etc. and I would like to access them in a loop.

 

for ($i = 0; $i < $count; ++$i) {
    echo $foo_{$i}; // does not work, but would be the most elegant solution

    $name = 'foo_'.$i;
    echo ${$name}; // works but is not very elegant
}

 

Is the second solution the only way?  Or is there a variation of the first method that I'm just not seeing?

[Mchl]

Don't shoot yourself in a foot. Use arrays instead:

http://php.net/manual/en/language.types.array.php

[PFMaBiSmAd]

...but is not very elegant

 

Correct, arrays should be used when you have sets of related data.

 

Edit: Also see the post at the following link and the last post in the same thread - http://www.phpfreaks.com/forums/index.php/topic,303934.msg1437742.html#msg1437742

[AbraCadaver]

Don't shoot yourself in a foot. Use arrays instead:

http://php.net/manual/en/language.types.array.php

+1

 

Anytime you are needing to use variable variables (especially with an incrementing number), arrays should be used.  But to answer your question:

 

echo ${"foo_$i"};
//or
echo ${'foo_'.$i};

 

 

[benjam]

Thanks Abra, that's what I was looking for.

 

And to all others, I am aware of arrays and understand they are easier/better in this particular situation, but the solution I was looking for is valid in other situations as well, not just looping over incremented variables.

[Mchl]

In whole my PHP career (which might not be all that long, but is not short either) I have never come across situation where I had to use variable variables. And for something like this... how can it be better than enumerated array is just above me.

[benjam]

They do have their place.  I've used them on a few occasions.