Array references by name

[Csaba Gabor]

Is there a way that I can name a "variable" that I want to set, when
that "variable" might be an array element? For example:

<?php
function setMe ($varName, $varVal) {
$greeting = "Hello";
$aRay = array("there", "Fred");
$$varName = $varVal;
output( "$greeting " . join(", ", $aRay));
}

setMe ("greeting", "Goodbye"); // => Goodbye there, Fred
setMe ("aRay[1]", "Mom"); // I'd like: Hello there, Mom
?>
Thanks,
Csaba Gabor from Vienna
The actual situation is more complicated. I have a class, and the
variables in question are members of the class. Even if I do eval, I
don't get a reference to the thing that needs changing and if I can't
eval $varVal because $varVal will be an object.

[Janwillem Borleffs]

Csaba Gabor wrote:

Is there a way that I can name a "variable" that I want to set, when
that "variable" might be an array element?

You could try the following:

function setMe ($varName, $varVal) {
$greeting = "Hello";
$aRay = array("there", "Fred");
if (is_array($varName)) {
${$varName[0]}[$varName[1]] = $varVal;
} else {
$$varName = $varVal;
}
print( "$greeting " . join(", ", $aRay) . '<br />');
}

setMe ("greeting", "Goodbye"); // => Goodbye there, Fred
setMe (array('aRay', 1), "Mom"); // => Hello there, Mom
JW

[Csaba Gabor]

Janwillem Borleffs wrote:

Csaba Gabor wrote:

Is there a way that I can name a "variable" that I want to set, when
that "variable" might be an array element?

You could try the following:

function setMe ($varName, $varVal) {
$greeting = "Hello";
$aRay = array("there", "Fred");
if (is_array($varName)) {
${$varName[0]}[$varName[1]] = $varVal;
} else {
$$varName = $varVal;
}
print( "$greeting " . join(", ", $aRay) . '<br />');
}

setMe ("greeting", "Goodbye"); // => Goodbye there, Fred
setMe (array('aRay', 1), "Mom"); // => Hello there, Mom

Hi and thanks for your reply. I have written something like this,
except that I expect $varName as a string and then parse for
"...[number]". But the problem with that and all other solutions of
this form, including the one that you show, is that all variations must
be thought of in advance.

If, as seems the case, there is no direct method, perhaps the best tack
is to approach it recursively, but that strikes me as a fair amount of
effort for a simple effect.

Csaba Gabor from Vienna