Synchronously sort multiple separate arrays by sorting one array naturally

Question

I have three arrays that are synced with the same key and I need to natsort and apply array_values() to array1 while keeping array2 and array3 in sync with the new keys set for array1 by array_values().

I need to sort the first array naturally and have the other arrays' elements moved to new positions so that columns remain related.

Input arrays:

$array1 = ['OA.3', 'OA.8', 'OA.6', 'OA.2'];
$array2 = [4, 1, 5, 3];
$array3 = [3, 1, 5, 0];

Desired result:

$array1 = ['OA.2', 'OA.3', 'OA.6', 'OA.8'];
$array2 = [3, 4, 5, 1];
$array3 = [0, 3, 5, 1];

Is there some way to keep all three of these arrays in sync during the natsort() and array_values() sorting of $array1? The final result of array2 and array3 show the new keys matching the final result of array1's sorting and re-keying.

what do you want as final output? I am having problems understanding your question. — Viral
– Viral, Commented Jul 25, 2015 at 21:04
@Viral Sorry I just updated the OP. realized it was a bit confusing after re-reading the post. Let me know if it's better — xxstevenxo
– xxstevenxo, Commented Jul 25, 2015 at 21:05
Yes, better now, also post array1 , 2 and 3 as a result of var_export(), not print_r() — Viral
– Viral, Commented Jul 25, 2015 at 21:07
@Viral ok just changed the output to var_export() for you also — xxstevenxo
– xxstevenxo, Commented Jul 25, 2015 at 21:11
I feel like i need to do this manually and ready the order of natsort with the keys somehow and store them in temp variables to apply them to the other 2 arrays but i cant even get my head around it. and im not the greatest with php so i wouldnt even know if its possible to read the order of natsort and store those numbers and their actual keys in a way to apply them without destroying the other 2 arrays — xxstevenxo
– xxstevenxo, Commented Jul 25, 2015 at 21:24

Jeffrey · Accepted Answer · 2015-07-25 21:26:13Z

2

You can use the keys of array A after the natsort, to sort the array B and C... Example:

<?PHP
function pre($a) { echo '<pre>'; print_r( $a ); echo '</pre>'; }
$a = array(
  0 => 'OA.3',
  1 => 'OA.8',
  2 => 'OA.6',
  3 => 'OA.2'
);
$b = array (
  0 => '4',
  1 => '1',
  2 => '5',
  3 => '3'
);
$c = array (
  0 => 3,
  1 => 1,
  2 => 5,
  3 => 0,
);
pre( $a );
natsort( $a );
pre( $a );
foreach( $a AS $key => $var ) {
    $bb[] = $b[ $key ];
    $cc[] = $c[ $key ];
}
echo '$bb:<br />';
pre( $bb );
echo '$cc:<br />';
pre( $cc );
?>

You can apply array_values() on array $a, $bb and $cc after the sorting is done.

Note: pre is just to print the array's inbetween and has no other function.

answered Jul 25, 2015 at 21:26

Jeffrey

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Viral · Accepted Answer · 2015-07-25 21:26:54Z

0

Here is my solution, you can do the same for $required_array3

$required_array2 = array();

foreach ($your_array2 as $key => $value)
{
    $k = array_search($value, $your_array1); // Original array [unsorted]
    $required_array2[$k] = $value;
}

answered Jul 25, 2015 at 21:26

Viral

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Comments

mickmackusa · Accepted Answer · 2025-01-31 03:32:28Z

This task is exactly what array_multisort() is designed to do. Write the first array as parameter one, then add parameters to dictate the direction and comparison style, then add the other arrays to be synchronously mutated. Demo

$array1 = ['OA.3', 'OA.8', 'OA.6', 'OA.2'];
$array2 = [4, 1, 5, 3];
$array3 = [3, 1, 5, 0];

array_multisort($array1, SORT_ASC, SORT_NATURAL, $array2, $array3);

var_dump($array1, $array2, $array3);

Output:

array(4) {
  [0]=>
  string(4) "OA.2"
  [1]=>
  string(4) "OA.3"
  [2]=>
  string(4) "OA.6"
  [3]=>
  string(4) "OA.8"
}
array(4) {
  [0]=>
  int(3)
  [1]=>
  int(4)
  [2]=>
  int(5)
  [3]=>
  int(1)
}
array(4) {
  [0]=>
  int(0)
  [1]=>
  int(3)
  [2]=>
  int(5)
  [3]=>
  int(1)
}

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