Variables Variable Question

As you might have guessed from some of my questions today, I am trying to automate a lot of my pages with for loops. However I have become stuck, yet again!

I want to call several different variables depending on which cycle the for loop is in, so I have the following:

Code: ( text )

$var_data_name = "var_data['cost_".$i."']";
echo($var_data_name." "); // prints: var_data['cost_1']
echo($$var_data_name." "); // prints: {nothing}
echo($var_data['cost_1']." "); // prints: 1000 (value of cost_1)

However, if I don't use the array it works:

Code: ( text )

$bar_cost_1=var_data['cost_1'];
$var_data_name = "bar_cost_".$i;
echo($var_data_name." "); // prints: bar_cost_1
echo($$var_data_name." "); // prints: 1000
echo($var_data['cost_1']." "); // prints: 1000 (value of cost_1)

So I know the problem is using an array in the vars var, but does anyone know how to get around it? I am happy to do it this way, but I was wondering if there is simple syntax which needed specifically for arrays or something?

TheServant

Needs Regular Fix

442 Posts

May 18th, 2008
01:23 PM
#2

Re: Variables Variable Question

Actually, I have found a better way to do it, but I am interested to find it out anyway for future reference if anyone knows the answer!

ronverdonk

Moderator

4,138 Posts

May 18th, 2008
02:11 PM
#3

Re: Variables Variable Question

See also chapter Variables variable in the PHP documentation. This handles the ambiguity of using indexes in var-vars. When I need to use it I use the eval() function. Like this

Code: ( text )

<?php
$var_data['cost_1']=1000;
$i=1;
$var_data_name = "var_data['cost_".$i."']";
echo("1. ".$var_data_name." "); // prints: 1. var_data['cost_1']
echo("2. ".$$var_data_name." "); // prints: 2. {nothing}
echo "3. ".eval("return \$$var_data_name;")." "; // prints 3. 1000
echo("4. ".$var_data['cost_1']." "); // prints: 4. 1000 (value of cost_1)
?>

Ronald

__________________
RTFM is an almost extinct art form.

aktar

Member

90 Posts

May 18th, 2008
10:01 PM
#4

Re: Variables Variable Question

Try enclosing the sub-variable in squigly brackets:

Code: ( text )

echo($$var_data_name." "); // prints: {nothing}

becomes

Code: ( text )

echo(${$var_data_name}." ");

TheServant

Needs Regular Fix

442 Posts

May 19th, 2008
03:57 AM
#6

Re: Variables Variable Question

Ron,
echo (eval("return \$$race_data_name;")." "); works perfectly! I will change my script to this for now.

aktar,
Your's in the one I have been trying to do for ages, but I can't get it to work? Have you tried your suggestion? If I can get it to work with the same logic as yours then that will be my solution.

ronverdonk

Moderator

4,138 Posts

May 19th, 2008
04:29 PM
#7

Re: Variables Variable Question

aktar's solution does not work for me either. And I am not quite sure why it should work, reading the variables-variable chapter in the PHP documentation in the link I previously posted.

Ronald

__________________
RTFM is an almost extinct art form.