What is the proper way to add an array to a $_SESSION variable that already contains arrays in PHP?
For example I have a session variable:
$_SESSION['test']
Then I do this:
$_SESSION['test'] = array('sample' => '1', 'sample2' => 2);
THEN, I come back to this session data at a later date. How would I add another array to $_SESSION['test'] without destroying what was already in there?
Do you mean add another array element?
If so, you would do:
$_SESSION['test']['sample3'] = 3;
But if not, then it sounds like array_merge is your ticket.
Fetch the size of current value, if it's 1 (means there is one array), then make a new array, which contains previous value from test and add the new value. Then change test value to this new two dimension array.
Would look something like that:
$_SESSION['test'] = array('sample' => '1', 'sample2' => 2);
if(is_array($_SESSION['test']) && sizeof($_SESSION['test'] == 1){
$newValue = array();
$newValue[] = $_SESSION['test'];
$newValue[] = $yourOtherArray;
$_SESSION['test'] = $newValue;
}
Fast and simple. Oh, not so sure if this is "proper" way.
array_merge function. Although, testing if it is an array is probably a good idea.
array_merge() will merge them together, where this will keep em seperated.If I am understanding you correctly, you can use array_merge() to merge the arrays.
$new_array = array('x' => array('extra')));
$_SESSION['test'] = is_array($_SESSION['test'])?array_merge($_SESSION['test'], $new_array):$new_array;
EDIT
Updated to do an is_array check, if it is an array it is merged, else it is set to the $new_array.