creating a loop to change variable value

[pjc2003]

hi there,

i want to create a loop that changes the value of a variable based on the value of another variable

i.e

if{

$variable_one = "A"

then

$variable_two ="1"


} etc


but i want it for 26 options so it can deal with all 26 possible values of variable 1? Just a bit stuck on how to write the code?


Many thanks.

Peter.

[obsidian]

Typically, you'd want to use a switch statement for that. Something like this should get you on your way:
[code]
<?php
$var1 = 'A';
switch($var1) {
  case 'A':
    $var2 = 1;
    break;

  case 'B':
    $var2 = 2;
    break;

  case 'C':
    $var2 = 3;
    break;

  // etc. until all your 26 cases are set.
}
?>
[/code]

Another option would be to develop a pattern that will remain true throughout your process, and write a single loop for all of them. For instance, if you are simply incrementing the value of your second variable for each letter of the alphabet (from 1 - 26), you could set up a handling array and simply assign the values like this:
[code]
<?php
// Start by priming your variables.
$alpha = array();
$x = 'A';
for ($i = 1; $i <= 26; $i++) {
  $alpha[$x] = $i;
  ++$x;
}

// Now, all you have to do is assign the values
$var1 = 'A'; // value of 'A'
$var2 = $alpha[$var1]; // value of 1
?>
[/code]

Hope this helps

[Accipiter]

You can also create the array directly containing all the 26 different values (Incase there is no obvious pattern to the values. Otherwise the above example is more suitable):

[code]
$switch_array = array('A'=>1, 'B'=>2, 'C'=>12, 'D'=>9); // Etc. etc.

$variable_two = $switch_array($variable_one);
[/code]

Good luck :)