Altering array data

benton · 05-16-2008, 03:59 AM

I have a multi array like

PHP Code:


			
 Array

(

    [name] => Array

        (

            [0] => text A

            [10] => text B

        )



    [description] => Array

        (

            [0] => text C

            [10] => text D

        )

)

I need to be able to change the text. I tried the following but it didn't work. I know (think) it is because it is working on a copy of the data but I can't see how to get around that. Would someone please point out where I am going wrong?

PHP Code:


			
  foreach ($myarray as $key)

  {

    foreach ($key as $k => $d)

    {

      $d = 'new text';      

    } 

  }

xenon · 05-16-2008, 07:48 PM

Anything but objects are passed through value instead of reference in PHP. That's why you can't do what you try to. A workaround would be:

PHP Code:


			
foreach($some_array as $idx => $val)
{
    $some_array[$idx] = 'new value';
}

benton · 05-17-2008, 03:15 AM

Thanks for the reply. I had played around with that but doesn't that mean I would have to name each item in the array, something like this

PHP Code:


			
foreach($some_array as $idx => $val)

{

    $some_array[$idx][0] = 'new value';

    $some_array[$idx][10] = 'new value';

}

I was hoping there would be a more generic way to do it since that is going to cause problems as the code grows and changes.

Kalle · 05-17-2008, 05:43 AM

You mean something like:

PHP Code:


			
foreach($some_array as $key => $value)

{

    foreach($value as $index => $text)

    {

        $some_array[$key][$index] = 'new text';

    }

}

?

benton · 05-18-2008, 11:42 AM

Yes, that does it. My thanks to both of you for your help. It is appreciated. :)

Salathe · 05-18-2008, 01:42 PM

You can also make sure that the array items are passed by reference (rather than by value as default) when iterating through the foreach blocks.

PHP Code:


			
foreach ($myarray as &$item)

{

    foreach ($item as &$value)

    {

        $value = 'new text';

    }

}