[SOLVED] Checking for Empty Variables

[Helminthophobe]

Can I use empty() to check to see if variables actually have data? Basically I want the script or something to check to see if there is data in the variables. If there is no data, give the user some instructions on writing some data (link to a form or admin panel). If there is data, then continue with writing to the database.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[kenrbnsn]

I don't use the empty() function on strings, since it can return a false positive when the string consists of the a single zero character. I use

<?php
if (strlen(trim($str)) == 0) echo 'The variable $str is empty';
?>

 

Ken

[ThYGrEaTCoDeR201]

Also remember that a whitespace in a variable can be a true value.

 

Example:

 

$var1 = ""; this will be empty

$var2 = " "; this is the same as 1

[Helminthophobe]

Awesome! Thanks for the quick replies. This should help me out a lot.

[Elminster]

This could be helpful too: http://www.php.net/manual/en/types.comparisons.php