How to compare PHP variable to value from PHP array

Question

I am trying to execute an SQL query to pull one column of data from my database into a PHP array, and then search for my session variable in that array. I've printed the contents of my array and it looks like the query is working and is filling the array, but my comparison if (in_array("$session", $result)) is not working correctly.

I know the string my session variable contains is inside the PHP array. But $execute never flips to FALSE. Any idea why?

$confirm = $_GET['name'];
$execute = TRUE;
session_start();
$session = $_SESSION['sessionID'];
$result = array();

    try{
        $conn = new PDO("mysql:host=$servername; dbname=$dbname", $username, $password);
        $conn->setAttribute(PDO::ATTR_ERRMODE, PDO::ERRMODE_EXCEPTION);
        if(substr($session, 0, 2) === 'DS'){
            $sql = $conn->prepare("SELECT confirmNum FROM  `DSattendance`");
            $sql->execute();
            $result = $sql->fetchAll();

        }
        else if (substr($session, 0, 2) === 'BYOD'){
            $sql = $conn->prepare("SELECT confirmNum FROM BYODattendance");
            $sql->execute();
            $result = $sql->fetchAll();

        }    
    }
    catch(PDOException $e){echo $sql . "<br>" . $e->getMessage();}

    if (in_array("$session", $result)) {
            echo "true";
            $execute = FALSE;
    }

    if ($execute == FALSE)
            echo "ALREADY REGISTERED";

var_dump($result) yields: 

array(10) { 
[0]=> array(2) { ["confirmNum"]=> string(11) "adfafafafaa" [0]=> string(11) "adfafafafaa" } 
[1]=> array(2) { ["confirmNum"]=> string(11) "adsfafafaff" [0]=> string(11) "adsfafafaff" } 
[2]=> array(2) { ["confirmNum"]=> string(11) "asdfafafafa" [0]=> string(11) "asdfafafafa" } 
[3]=> array(2) { ["confirmNum"]=> string(11) "christrader" [0]=> string(11) "christrader" } 
[4]=> array(2) { ["confirmNum"]=> string(11) "christradfe" [0]=> string(11) "christradfe" } 
[5]=> array(2) { ["confirmNum"]=> string(11) "sadfadfafaf" [0]=> string(11) "sadfadfafaf" } 
[6]=> array(2) { ["confirmNum"]=> string(11) "sadfsfafaaf" [0]=> string(11) "sadfsfafaaf" } 
[7]=> array(2) { ["confirmNum"]=> string(11) "sdfsafsadfa" [0]=> string(11) "sdfsafsadfa" } 
[8]=> array(2) { ["confirmNum"]=> string(11) "trraafafafa" [0]=> string(11) "trraafafafa" } 
[9]=> array(2) { ["confirmNum"]=> string(11) "wesdfdfasfa" [0]=> string(11) "wesdfdfasfa" } }

What is the output of var_dump($result);? Odds are it'll be returning a multi-dimensional array, thus why your in_array isn't working. — RhapX
– RhapX, Commented Aug 9, 2015 at 23:14

RhapX · Accepted Answer · 2015-08-09 23:34:16Z

2

The PDO Statement fetchAll is returning a multi-dimensional array of the results found in the database. You need to loop through them first and format a new array that you can use to check your session against.

foreach($result as $value) {
    $array[] = $value['confirmNum'];
}

if( in_array($session, $array)) {
    // your code here
}

As noted by @mr12086, depending on the version of PHP you are using, you can avoid the foreach loop by using: $result = array_column('confirmNum', $result); instead. However, this does require PHP 5.5.0 or higher.

edited Aug 9, 2015 at 23:34

answered Aug 9, 2015 at 23:20

RhapX

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3 Comments

mr12086 Over a year ago

Depending on php version you could replace the loop with $result = array_column('confirmNum', $result); for less code.

RhapX Over a year ago

Absolutely @mr12086, thanks for adding. I updated my answer to include your response as well. Credit given :)

RhapX Over a year ago

@user2977729 np, glad to help.

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