tagging function - how do I get tags and then show them?

[dachshund]

Hi,

 

I'm using process wire as a base CMS and am trying to create a tag list from a free text area in the admin.

 

I have been able to get all pages with 'tags' and then explode them into an array:

 

 

$matches = $pages->find("template=post");

foreach($matches as $key => $tag){

$tags = explode(",", $tag->tags);
}

 

What I can work out is how to consolidate all the tags into one array comparing it to see whether it already has that tag it or not...

 

Any help would be great, thanks