Remove Whitespace Inside Array

Question

I have an array where some of its elements are filled with lots of whitespace and \n. I would like to remove this whitespace and \n.

I have been using the following code, but the compiler says that my code does not work for arrays.

//My code that removes white-space    
$input = preg_replace( '/\s+/', ' ', $myArray);

//Sample of array with white space
$myArray = array(
    'extra spaces' => '<div>     </div>',
    'return' => '<b>\n</b>',
)

//What I want the array to look like
$myArray = array(
    'extra spaces' => '<div></div>',
    'return' => '<b></b>',
)

You might be interested in PHP's array_walk(): "Applies [a] user-defined callback function to each element of [an] array." A simple foreach loop will probably get you there, too. — showdev
– showdev, Commented Oct 17, 2013 at 22:59
@showdev not trying to steal your answer, I just submitted it when I saw your comment :\ — Jochem Kuijpers
– Jochem Kuijpers, Commented Oct 17, 2013 at 23:03
If I understand correctly your question, this should work: $cleanArray = preg_replace( '/[ \n]/', '', $myArray); — dimi
– dimi, Commented Oct 17, 2013 at 23:28

Fluffeh · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-17 23:02:58Z

1

You can use a foreach loop to get through all the elements in your array:

foreach($myArray as $key => $val)
{
    $myArray[$key]=preg_replace( '/\s+/', ' ', $value);
}

I haven't actually checked the code, and haven't ever been good with regex, but assuming your replace works fine, it should be good.

answered Oct 17, 2013 at 23:02

Fluffeh

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Jochem Kuijpers · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-17 23:08:30Z

1

Try this:

// loop through each element and apply the function
foreach($myArray as $key => $value) {
    $myArray[$key] = preg_replace('/\s+/', '', $value);
}

Or make a function that does this and use array_walk

Note that I'm replacing your whitespace by an empty string, not by a single space (like you and other answers did). This way you will completely remove the whitespace, instead of replacing it with a space.

edited Oct 17, 2013 at 23:08

answered Oct 17, 2013 at 23:02

Jochem Kuijpers

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Oswald · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-17 23:12:09Z

1

When you call preg_replace, $myArray is not yet defined. Switch the definition of $myArray and the call to preg_replace:

//Sample of array with white space#

$myArray = array(
    'extra spaces' => '<div>     </div>',
    'return' => '<b>\n</b>',
)

//My code that removes white-space    
$input = preg_replace( '/\s+/', ' ', $myArray);

If you want '<div> </div>' to become '<div></div>', you shouldn't replace '/\s+/' with ' ', but with ''.
\n is considered a line break (and thus matches '/\s+/') only within double quotes, not within single quotes. Change '<b>\n</b>' to "<b>\n</b>" or fix your regular expression.

edited Oct 17, 2013 at 23:12

answered Oct 17, 2013 at 23:05

Oswald

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3 Comments

Jochem Kuijpers Over a year ago

My guess is that this was a simple sketch of what he was trying to accomplish, hence the Sample of array with white space and What I want the array to look like

showdev Over a year ago

Sweet, I didn't know preg_replace() works on arrays : "If subject is an array, then the search and replace is performed on every entry of subject, and the return value is an array as well." @icu222much What was the exact error message regarding "code does not work for arrays"?

Oswald Over a year ago

@JochemKuijpers No need to be sorry. It has become quite hard to tell whether the error is in the original source code or within the question. A lot of people don't bother to check whether the source code they post really exhibits the problem that they are facing. I came to the conclusion not to bother either, do my best to help and let the OP decide which part of my answer is useful.

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