Php Variable Variables

Question

Ive got some generated arrays, and their variable names stored in another array like the following

$array1 = 4x119 array;
$array2 = 4x119 array;
etc ..
$var1= [
"array1",
"array2",
etc...
];

and trying to loop though them like this

foreach ($var1 as $loopitem){
var_dump($$loopitem[3]);
}

How can i make this less ambiguous ?

Currenly im fairly sure its looking for a variable called the contents of $loopitem[3] instead of looking at $arr1[3] as without the [3] the var dump returns correct

Without the [3]

array(4) {
  [0]=>
  array(119) { 

rest of output

With [3]

NULL

Any suggestions ?

ThiefMaster · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-14 22:45:52Z

5

You can use ${$loopitem}[3] to make it readable and unambiguous. Actually I'd always use that syntax for variable variables since $$foo is easy to misread as $foo.

However, it would be even better not to use them at all and use an array instead!

answered Jan 14, 2013 at 22:45

ThiefMaster

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2 Comments

exussum Over a year ago

Great ! Thats working. I cant accept the answer yet but will when the time limit is up. Thanks !

Sven Over a year ago

The best part of the answer is to AVOID VARIABLE VARIABLES! If you can create a separate array with the names of the arrays, you can also create one big array with the other arrays included. If all else fails, go for $var1 = ['array1' => $array1, 'array2' => $array2,];

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