How to assign PHP variables from foreach loop output?

Question

I have a foreach loop which prints out the usernames of all entries in a database table like so:

foreach($results as $result){

echo $result->username;
echo '<br>';

}

As more and more users are added to the table, the list will grow. I would like to take the complete list and assign each entry to a separate PHP variable for use later on the PHP script. What is the best way to do this?

You mean like $results[0], $results[1], $results[2] and so on? — ThreeLLMsInATrenchcoat
– ThreeLLMsInATrenchcoat, Commented Apr 10, 2014 at 21:10
you have a list and it will grow. the best way to do this is with an array like you already have. why would you want to have separate vars for each? — CrayonViolent
– CrayonViolent, Commented Apr 10, 2014 at 21:10
no. you don't want a separate variable. Consider when you reach 50,000 users. Do you really want 50,000 separate variables? Hell no. You've already got them in a nice neat and clean array. Keep them there. — Marc B
– Marc B, Commented Apr 10, 2014 at 21:11
You are correct that I have them in an array, so I guess my mis-understanding has to do with how I can use those array values later in the script. I am trying to apply each username as a javascript variable. I was thinking that I would need to pull them out individual, but now with these comments I will reconsider this based upon the pre-existing array. Thanks. — codacopia
– codacopia, Commented Apr 10, 2014 at 21:20
Will your javascript need access to every username in the table, or just a few? If just a few, you can consider using ajax to get a username. For example if you're checking to see if a username exists, you can write a script like "checkUsername.php" which queries the DB for a username (provided as a POST variable), and outputs "true" or "false". Then use ajax to post the username to checkUsername.php and check the output. — Mike Willis
– Mike Willis, Commented Apr 10, 2014 at 21:25

AbraCadaver · Accepted Answer · 2020-03-06 20:44:45Z

2

You don't want individual variables, try an array:

foreach($results as $result){
    $names[] = $result->username;
}

In PHP 7 it's even easier:

$names = array_column($results, null, 'username');

edited Mar 6, 2020 at 20:44

answered Apr 10, 2014 at 21:11

AbraCadaver

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Comments

jeroen · Accepted Answer · 2014-04-10 21:26:59Z

0

Based on your comments I am trying to apply each username as a javascript variable, all you need seems to be something like:

<script type="text/javascript">
  var usernames = <?php echo json_encode($results); ?>;
</script>

Of course if you only need one element from the $results array, you should first generate a reduced list using one of the other answers; if you use the whole $results array, all information in there will be sent to the browser / visible to the visitor.

answered Apr 10, 2014 at 21:26

jeroen

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Comments

Barmar · Accepted Answer · 2014-04-10 21:30:37Z

0

Put them in an array:

$names = array();
foreach ($results as $result) {
    $names[] = $result->username;
}

edited Apr 10, 2014 at 21:30

answered Apr 10, 2014 at 21:11

Barmar

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Comments

Niet the Dark Absol · Accepted Answer · 2014-04-10 21:32:20Z

0

foreach loops are soooo out of fashion :p

$names = array_map(function($r) {return $r->username;},$results);

answered Apr 10, 2014 at 21:32

Niet the Dark Absol

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Comments

Nathanael · Accepted Answer · 2016-12-16 07:22:07Z

0

I don't know why you want too.... but you could do ...

foreach($results as $result)
{
    $$result->username = $result;
 }

That answers your question. But why anyone would do that is beyond me

answered Dec 16, 2016 at 7:22

Nathanael

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Comments

user7302920 · Accepted Answer · 2016-12-16 07:13:23Z

-1

I use below code

<?php

$string = 'a|b|c|d|e|f';

$tags = explode('|' , $string);


foreach($tags as $i =>$key) {
$i >0;
     $a[$i]=$key .'</br>';

}

echo $a[3];

good luck

answered Dec 16, 2016 at 7:13

user7302920

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