Help needed on a simple question

[slowlygoinginsane]

Hi Guys,

 

I have a very basic question that I cannot seem to answer ... so would appreciate any help / advise.

 

Code snippet:

$Text1="Hi, how are you";
$Text2="Hey there stranger";
$Text3="Its about time!";

$random_number = rand(1,3); 
$WelcomeText = "$"."Text".$random_number;
echo $WelcomeText;

The above script generates the output as $Text3 but what I am trying to achieve is this output: Its about time!

 

 

I know I can use an array and output the value ... but I wanted to know -- why the above code would not work.

 

Any help / explaination would be great!

 

Thanks

 

[davidannis]

I think you can do what you want with eval() http://www.php.net/eval. Will try it and post code.

[ignace]

echo ${'Text' . $random_number};

[davidannis]

<?php
$a1='this is a1';
$myvar='$'.'a'.'1';
eval("\$a1 = \"$a1\";");
echo $a1;

?>

This works as an example.

[slowlygoinginsane]

Thanks Dr and ignace....

 

problem solved! The eval article actually explained why it was not working.

 

Thanks both.

 

Have a great day!

[Barand]

An array would be the preferred method but "variable variables" (using $$) will also work

$Text1="Hi, how are you";
$Text2="Hey there stranger";
$Text3="Its about time!";

$random_number = rand(1,3); 
$WelcomeText = "Text$random_number";
echo $$WelcomeText;

[davidannis]

Sorry I mangled the example. It works but proves nothing. Try this:

<?php
$a1='this is in myvar';
$myvar='$'.'a'.'1';
eval("\$myvar = \"$myvar\";");
echo $myvar;

?>

though ignace has an easier way.