referencing an array element with a string variable

[Bosconian]

I've been researching this for hours and can't seem to find the right
syntax.

I need to retrieve a value of an array by referencing the element using a
string variable.

For example:

$data['lastname'] = 'hank';
$element = 'lastname';
echo $data[$element];

Outputs:

hank

Seems straightforward enough, but the solution escapes me.

Someone clue me in--thanks!

[Shelly]

"Bosconian" <bo*******@planetx.com> wrote in message
news:97********************@comcast.com...

I've been researching this for hours and can't seem to find the right
syntax.

I need to retrieve a value of an array by referencing the element using a
string variable.

For example:

$data['lastname'] = 'hank';
$element = 'lastname';
echo $data[$element];

Outputs:

hank

Seems straightforward enough, but the solution escapes me.

Someone clue me in--thanks!

echo $data["$element"];

Shelly

[ZeldorBlat]

Both Shelly's and yours output the same answer -- which seems to be the
answer you're looking for.

What is the problem?

[Ken Robinson]

Bosconian wrote:

I've been researching this for hours and can't seem to find the right
syntax.

I need to retrieve a value of an array by referencing the element using a
string variable.

For example:

$data['lastname'] = 'hank';
$element = 'lastname';
echo $data[$element];

Outputs:

hank

Seems straightforward enough, but the solution escapes me.

That should work fine. What problems are you encountering? What are you
trying to do?

Ken

[Bosconian]

"Ken Robinson" <ke******@rbnsn.com> wrote in message
news:11**********************@g47g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...

Bosconian wrote:

I've been researching this for hours and can't seem to find the right
syntax.

I need to retrieve a value of an array by referencing the element using a string variable.

For example:

$data['lastname'] = 'hank';
$element = 'lastname';
echo $data[$element];

Outputs:

hank

Seems straightforward enough, but the solution escapes me.

That should work fine. What problems are you encountering? What are you
trying to do?

Ken

Thanks to all who responded.

Turns out the syntax was correct (as noted.) My array was in fact not being
defined correctly so the element was therefore empty.

Sorry for wasting your time.