Simple PHP Array Sorting by sub array key

Question

Trying to sort the array below by "end" without the use of usort function, is there a simple way to do so?

$feature_event = array(
    array(
        "title"     => "Classic",
        "date"      => "October 28 - 30 2016",
        "end"       => strtotime("October 30, 2016")
    ),
    array(
        "title"     => "Ski Weekend",
        "date"      => "February 5-8, 2017",
        "end"       => strtotime("February 8, 2017")
    ),
    array(
        "title"     => "NBA Weekend",
        "date"      => "February 17-19, 2017",
        "end"       => strtotime("February 19, 2017")
    ),
    array(
        "title"     => "Fiesta",
        "date"      => "May 26-28, 2017",
        "end"       => strtotime("May 28, 2017")
    )

I'm outputting the result via a foreach loop but want to limit to 3 results.

<?php foreach( array_slice($feature_event, 0, 3) as $event): ?>
...
<?php endforeach; ?>

Small explanation: I'm trying to display images that are associated with an event. Each event has a specific end date. Once the end date is past, display the next image in the loop...but I want the array sorted by the end date. I understand a usort function would do the trick but I'm not that advance in coding. Is there a simple way of accomplishing sorting by "end" or would I need to do a usort. If needing a usort would I still need the forloop? Plz excuse my dumb question.

UPDATE

This array multisort solution

array_multisort(array_column($feature_event, 'end'), $feature_event);

sorts the way I'm needing it to but I would like to output the data based off the current date...I can't seem to create a conditional that works correctly...

within my forloop I have this conditional:

<?php 
date_default_timezone_set("America/Chicago"); 
$now = strtotime("now");
?>

<?php if($now <= $event["end"]) :?>
    ... code ...
<?php endif;?>

but it is only outputting 2 events....any ideas on what I'm doing wrong. This if is inside the foreachloop above.

is this from a DB? why not do that limiting and sorting from there, there no more array_slice and usort — Kevin
– Kevin, Commented Jul 25, 2016 at 3:05
This is static data for a small website. Is it a way to sort and limit in php based on the key of a subarray that doesnt involve using usort? As I said I would prefer a simple solution but if there is a better option a little more advance then I wouldnt be opposed to it. — Cedric Weatherly
– Cedric Weatherly, Commented Jul 25, 2016 at 3:14

AbraCadaver · Accepted Answer · 2016-07-25 14:42:03Z

1

Since the end values are timestamps, just extract those into an array and sort that, sorting the original array:

PHP < 5.5.0:

array_multisort(
    array_map(function($v) { return $v['end']; }, $feature_event), $feature_event);

PHP >= 5.5.0:

array_multisort(array_column($feature_event, 'end'), $feature_event);

Or use SORT_DESC as the third parameter depending on which way you want to sort.

Then use your array_slice() to get the first or last 3 and loop.

edited Jul 25, 2016 at 14:42

answered Jul 25, 2016 at 3:12

AbraCadaver

79.2k7 gold badges75 silver badges91 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

Cedric Weatherly Over a year ago

Nice, this sorts correctly. I did a print_r of the array and checked. My only problem now is creating the correct conditional to output the data from the loop based off the current date and the end dates...so basically, the 3 most recent events that has not exceeded the end date....

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Simple PHP Array Sorting by sub array key

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related