Navigating a multidimensional array with dynamic

Question

I'm trying to figure out why it is that I cannot access the follow array with this statement:

var_dump($thevar[0]['product_id']);

Array
(
    [d142d425a5487967a914b6579428d64b] => Array
        (
            [product_id] => 253
            [variation_id] => 
            [variation] => 
            [quantity] => 1
            [data] => WC_Product Object
                (
                    [id] => 253
                    [product_custom_fields] => Array
                        (
                            [_edit_last] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => 1
                                )

                            [_edit_lock] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => 1345655854:1
                                )

                            [_thumbnail_id] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => 102
                                )

I can, however, access the 'product_id' using the dynamically created array name:

print_r($thevar['d142d425a5487967a914b6579428d64b']['product_id']);

The issue is, I don't know what that dynamic name is going to be on the fly...

Jon · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-10 19:49:18Z

2

There are several options for such scenarios.

Manually iterate over the array

You can use reset, next, key and/or each to iterate over the array (perhaps partially).

For example, to grab the first item regardless of key:

$item = reset($thevar);

Reindex the array

Sometimes it's just convenient to be able to index into the array numerically, and a small performance hit is not a problem. In that case you can reindex using array_values:

$values = array_values($thevar);
$item = $values[0]; // because $values is numerically indexed

Iterate with foreach

This would work for a single value as well as it works for more, but it might give the wrong impression to readers of the code.

foreach($thevar as $item) {
    // do something with $item
}

answered Oct 10, 2012 at 19:49

Jon

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Comments

drj201 · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-10 19:47:03Z

1

If the array key is dynamic you might find the PHP function array_keys() useful.

It will return an array of the keys used in an array. You can then use this to access a particular element in the array.

See here for more:

http://php.net/manual/en/function.array-keys.php

answered Oct 10, 2012 at 19:47

drj201

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Vyktor · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-10 19:43:37Z

0

Because PHP array are associative therefor you have to access them by key.

But you may use reset($thevar) to get first item.

Or array_values():

array_values($thevar)[0]

Or if you feel like overkill you may also use array_keys() and use the [0] element to address element like this:

$thevar[ array_keys($thevar)[0]]

answered Oct 10, 2012 at 19:43

Vyktor

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2 Comments

dcolumbus Over a year ago

So I in fact DO need to find out what that Key is in order to navigate it.

Vyktor Over a year ago

No, you may also use array_values (as I mentioned), but that would create new array. Using reset() should be really the fastest way to do this.

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Navigating a multidimensional array with dynamic

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Manually iterate over the array

Reindex the array

Iterate with foreach

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3 Answers 3

Manually iterate over the array

Reindex the array

Iterate with foreach

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