Exploding data

[ejscottb]

I need to explode data separated with text separators, like this:

 

banana|carrot|salmon|oak|tuna|apple|elm|pineapple

 

So far so good with this:

 

<?php

  $items = explode('|', $stuff);

  foreach($items as $key=>$value){

?>

 

 

But now I need a list, with categories from another table (column1=items, column2=corresponding categories) and order by categories (not worried about the order of the items under each category), like this:

 

FISH

  salmon

  tuna

FRUIT

  banana

  apple

  pineapple

TREE

  oak

  elm

VEGETABLE

  carrot

 

Any suggestions on an approach would be appreciated. I'm foggy about creating arrays, but I think I need one here?

 

[Pikachu2000]

If this: banana|carrot|salmon|oak|tuna|apple|elm|pineapple is in a field in a database, what you need is a better database structure, not an array.

[ejscottb]

I AGREE!  Unfortunately, I've inherited this database and the previous programmer has set it up this way.  Whoa is me.  Just wondering if there's a solution before I start restructuring tables/data.

[Pikachu2000]

I don't see how you could write anything practical that would be able to categorize the explode()d string. I certainly can't think of any way for php or mysql to be able to know if 'salmon' should be put under 'FISH' or 'BULLDOZERS'.

[litebearer]

ok ok couldn't resist...

 

salmon best grilled then placed over a bed of wild rice and under a honey dejon sauce; side of steamed garlic fused asparagus, and a glass of Pouilly Fuissé

[ejscottb]

Possibly use 'usort' array command to order list?

 

This works to order items under one category heading:

 

while ($row_mystuff = mysql_fetch_array($mystuff)) {
if ($current_variable != $variable) {
	echo $variable;
	$current_variable = $variable;
}
echo $other_variable;
}