Converting a Plain Text List to an Array in PHP

Question

Using PHP, what would be the best way to convert a Plain Text List to an Associative Array.

The Plain Text List stucture looks like this:

Item 1
Item 1 > Sub Item 1.1
Item 1 > Sub Item 1.2
Item 2 
Item 2 > Sub Item 2.1 > Sub Sub Item 2.1.1
Item 2 > Sub Item 2.1 > Sub Sub Item 2.1.2
Item 2 > Sub Item 2.1 > Sub Sub Item 2.1.2 > Sub Sub Sub Item 2.1.2.1
Item 2 > Sub Item 2.2 > Sub Sub Item 2.2.1
Item 2 > Sub Item 2.2 > Sub Sub Item 2.2.2
Item 3
Item 4
Item 4 > Sub Item 4.1

The function / method would not be limited to a specific depth.

The desired array would look something like this:

$array['Item 1']['Sub Item 1.1'];
$array['Item 1']['Sub Item 1.2'];
$array['Item 2']['Sub Item 2.1'];
$array['Item 2']['Sub Item 2.1']['Sub Sub Item 2.1.1'];
$array['Item 2']['Sub Item 2.1']['Sub Sub Item 2.1.2'];
$array['Item 2']['Sub Item 2.1']['Sub Sub Item 2.1.2']['Sub Sub Sub Item 2.1.2.1'];
$array['Item 2']['Sub Item 2.2']['Sub Sub Item 2.2.1'];
$array['Item 2']['Sub Item 2.2']['Sub Sub Item 2.2.2'];
$array['Item 3'];
$array['Item 4'];
$array['Item 4']['Sub Item 4.1'];

Im not sure if this is the best array stucture to adopt.

On the UI Side...

The array will be used to populate a series of heirachal drop down lists through jQuery.ajax, where the contents of the child list is dependant on the parent selection.

User selects Item 2, a new list appears with the Sub Items, if they select Sub Sub Item 2.1.2 for instance, then a third list appears with Sub Sub Sub Item 2.1.2.1 as it's only option.

I can do all the jQuery stuff, its just the PHP function that is causing me a headache !

I included an explanation of what I wated to do with the array incase it influences the way the function(s) is(are) written.

I think i need to rework this idea. The array output isnt going lend itself to what i need to do with it. I appreciate your time and brain power... :D — Deano
– Deano, Commented Oct 17, 2013 at 11:24

Halcyon · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-16 12:25:59Z

2

Using explode, reference assigning and array_shift:

$input = "Item 1
Item 1 > Sub Item 1.1
...
Item 4 > Sub Item 4.1";

$lines = explode("\n", $input);
$out = array();
foreach ($lines as $line) {
    $parts = explode(" > ", $line);
    $ref = &$out;
    while (count($parts) > 0) {
        if (isset($ref[$parts[0]]) === false) {
            $ref[$parts[0]] = array();
        }
        $ref = &$ref[$parts[0]];
        array_shift($parts);
    }
}
echo "<pre>";
print_r($out);

Seems to give the correct output.

answered Oct 16, 2013 at 12:25

Halcyon

57.7k10 gold badges93 silver badges131 bronze badges

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

2 Comments

Halcyon Over a year ago

What is complex about this? $ref walks the path you get from explode($line). I suppose you could write a recursive function instead but as you can see this works just as well.

Deano Over a year ago

this works fine, however i think i need to re-think my original idea, i think an array of the structure i set out will not work for what i want.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Converting a Plain Text List to an Array in PHP

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related