Variable Checking Help

[HCProfessionals]

I'm currently doing this and it is getting repetitive throughout my script:

 

if ($variable_check['variable'] != "a" || $variable_check['variable'] != "b" || $variable_check['variable'] != "c") {
  //Code Here
}

 

I know there has to be an easier way, like something below and I just can't put my finger on it. Something like:

 

$allowed = a,b,c

if ($variable_check['variable'] != "$allowed") {
  //Code Here
}

[phpSensei]

<?php
$allowed = array("a", "b", "c");
if (in_array($variable_check['variable'], $allowed)) {
    // not allowed
}
?>

[Psycho]

Or, if the variable check will be different throughout the page, create a function and pass it a string

 

function varCheck($variable, $allowed)
{
    return (in_array($variable, explode(',', $allowed)));
}

if(varCheck($variable_check['variable'], 'a,b,c'))
{
  //code here
}