Resolve array error w/out error suppression operatior @

[OldWest]

My script IS working, but I can't get around a blank array error when no errors exist.

 

Below is my code, and as you can see, I am being handed this:

Notice: Undefined variable: error in C:\wamp\www\php\form_validation.php on line 19 as a result of my ... if (is_array($error)) { ... .. I could do if (@is_array($error)) { (note the @), but I hate using that thing... I've tried several things with no luck, so any ideas welcome at this point.

 

<?php
  if (isset($_POST['set_test'])) {
      if (!preg_match("/^[A-Za-z' -]{1,50}$/", $_POST['first_name'])) {
          $error[] = "Please enter a valid First Name";
      }
      if (!preg_match("/^[A-Za-z' -]{1,50}$/", $_POST['last_name'])) {
          $error[] = "Please enter a valid Last Name";
      }
      if (is_array($error)) {
          foreach ($error as $err_message) {
              echo $err_message . "<br />";
          }
      }
  }
?>

[BLaZuRE]

Well, your error is saying your variable's undefined.  You need to check whether it's defined or not before you manipulate it.  You can use isset($variable) to determine whether $variable is set ("defined") and not NULL.

[PFMaBiSmAd]

You can also use if(!empty($error)) (for those of us who would define the array at the start of the code.)

[Maq]

You can also use if(!empty($error)) (for those of us who would define the array at the start of the code.)

 

Not implying you shouldn't initialize your variables, but the empty() method checks if the variable is set I think.

[BLaZuRE]

In certain scenarios, a variable can still be set but empty.

 

For example:

$var = '';

$var is set, to '' but contains an empty string, therefore empty.

 

Not always necessary to know since it doesn't always come up, but they're not equivalent.

[Pikachu2000]

See new comments within the code . . .

 

<?php
if (isset($_POST['set_test'])) {
$error = array();  // initialize an empty array
if (!preg_match("/^[A-Za-z' -]{1,50}$/", $_POST['first_name'])) {
	$error[] = "Please enter a valid First Name";
}
if (!preg_match("/^[A-Za-z' -]{1,50}$/", $_POST['last_name'])) {
	$error[] = "Please enter a valid Last Name";
}
if (!empty($error)) {  // if array is not empty, implode to a <br> separated string and echo (eliminates foreach loop's trailing <br>).
	echo implode( '<br>', $error);
}
}
?>