Searching Arrays, array_search() issue

Question

Is there any way I can search an array for a value and return it's key, I tried array_search() with no success... below is an example of my array

[0] => Array
    (
        [value] => 
        [text] => All Call Types
    )

[1] => Array
    (
        [value] => enquiry
        [text] => Renovation Enquiry
    )

[2] => Array
    (
        [value] => msg
        [text] => Message to Pass on
    ) ...

My ultimate goal is to convert

value to text.

Here's what I tried:

$key = array_search($row['call_type'], $type_list);
$call_type_name = $type_list[$key]['text'];

Thanks!

Here's how I interpret: I want to search for instances of "value" and return "text". — JYelton
– JYelton, Commented May 17, 2010 at 16:12
In your array structure, 'value' is not they key of 'text'. They are separate elements. — webbiedave
– webbiedave, Commented May 17, 2010 at 16:12

JYelton · Accepted Answer · 2010-05-17 16:07:23Z

3

You could write a short function that provides this:

function findInArray($array, $needle)
{
    for ($i = 0; $i < sizeof($array); $i++)
    {
        if ($array[$i]['value'] == $needle) return $array[$i]['text'];
    }
}

Usage example:

$call_type_name = findInArray($type_list, 'msg');

answered May 17, 2010 at 16:07

JYelton

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3 Comments

JYelton Over a year ago

Obviously this function may be better named getCallTypeName or something to your liking.

Mikey1980 Over a year ago

Wow I'm surprised the search_array() function doesn't do this.. I pretty new to php--so what's it's purpose then? BTW, I'll try you solution after lunch. ;)

JYelton Over a year ago

From the manual page (php.net/manual/en/function.array-search.php) array_search() Searches the array for a given value and returns the corresponding key if successful. In your example, you have an array of arrays (multi-dimensional array). array_search() is only checking the first dimension, and not finding an element matching $row['call_type'] -- instead it is finding arrays. If your array were constructed differently, as an associative array with strings as the call type, and the key itself used for the 'value' you could just return $type_list[$key] and not need to search.

David Morrow · Accepted Answer · 2010-05-17 16:09:50Z

1

is this what you are after? finding the position of the occurrence of a specific value?

function findKeyByField( $arr, $name, $val ){
$pos = 0;
foreach ($arr as $subArr ):

    foreach ($subArr as $key => $value):
        if( $key == $name and $value == $val ){
            return $pos;
        }
    endforeach;

$pos++;
endforeach;
}

answered May 17, 2010 at 16:09

David Morrow

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4 Comments

Artefacto Over a year ago

I shake everytime I see that syntax :p

David Morrow Over a year ago

what syntax is that, nested foreach? whats the better way, please, i learn something new everyday, what would be better.

Mikey1980 Over a year ago

you rock, despite the shaking it made into to my public class :)

Mikey1980 Over a year ago

$key=Misc::findKeyByField($type_list, 'value', $row['call_type']); $call_type_name = $type_list[$key]['text'];

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