PHP - Order array associative by specific value

Question

I'm looking for a way to order an array associative by a specific value, I'm not sure if it's possible. I tried it with array_multisort() and usort() functions, but I'm afraid that I can not get it.

Example:

$array[] = array('id' => 74215, 'type' => 'BOX');
$array[] = array('id' => 76123, 'type' => 'UNT');
$array[] = array('id' => 71231, 'type' => '');
$array[] = array('id' => 79765, 'type' => 'UNT');
$array[] = array('id' => 77421, 'type' => 'BOX');

If I want to order by 'BOX', then the array will be:

Array (
    [0] => Array
       (
                    [id] => 77421
                    [type] => 'BOX'
       )
    [1] => Array
       (
                    [id] => 74215
                    [type] => 'BOX'
       )
    [2] => Array
       (
                    [id] => 76123
                    [type] => 'UNT'
       )
    .
    .
    .

I could pass other string like 'UNT', and order by like that. Is this possible??

"If I want to order by 'BOX'" that's not very logical. Do you mean that you want to order by type? — FirstOne
– FirstOne, Commented Jul 14, 2016 at 16:19
Some references: How can I sort arrays and data in PHP? && PHP Sort Array By SubArray Value — FirstOne
– FirstOne, Commented Jul 14, 2016 at 16:23
And no, @FirstOne I don't want to order by type, like I said, I want to order by the value inside, passing a string like 'BOX', and order all items, putting the BOX values first. Thats why I asked if that is possible. Sorry if I don't explain well, my English is rusty. — bey23
– bey23, Commented Jul 14, 2016 at 16:26

Jakumi · Accepted Answer · 2016-07-19 07:26:18Z

1

I assume you want to "sort" by string match, first all those who match that string, after that all those that don't. Unless you have an archaic php version, this could work:

$sortvalue = 'BOX';
usort($array, function($a, $b) use ($sortvalue) {
         if($a['type'] == $sortvalue) return -1;
         elseif($b['type'] == $sortvalue) return 1;
         else return 0;
    });

this should put any 'BOX' entry to the front of your array.

If all others shall be grouped, instead of return 0 do return $a['type'] < $b['type'].

edit: integrated kamal pal's suggestion/correction

edited Jul 19, 2016 at 7:26

answered Jul 14, 2016 at 16:26

Jakumi

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1 Comment

kamal pal Over a year ago

$sortvalue is not accessible inside anonymous function, you need to use closure .. function ($a, $b) use($sortvalue) ... .. also see stackoverflow.com/questions/18616214/…

FirstOne · Accepted Answer · 2016-07-14 16:36:42Z

I'm not sure if PHP has it's own function that does that, but i write my own, hope it helps:

function sortArray($array_x, $key)
{
    $added_indexes;
    $new_array;

    for($i=0;$i<count($array_x);$i++)
    {
        if($array_x[$i]['type']==$key){
            $new_array[]=$array_x[$i];
            $added_indexes[]=$i;
        }
    }

    for($i=0;$i<count($array_x);$i++)
    {
        if(!in_array($i,$added_indexes))
        {
            $new_array[]=$array_x[$i];
        }
    }

    return $new_array;
}

So when you do this:

$array[] = array('id' => 74215, 'type' => 'BOX');
$array[] = array('id' => 76123, 'type' => 'UNT');
$array[] = array('id' => 71231, 'type' => '');
$array[] = array('id' => 79765, 'type' => 'UNT');
$array[] = array('id' => 77421, 'type' => 'BOX');

print_r(sortArray($array,"BOX"));

Gives this:

Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [id] => 74215
            [type] => BOX
        )

    [1] => Array
        (
            [id] => 77421
            [type] => BOX
        )

    [2] => Array
        (
            [id] => 76123
            [type] => UNT
        )

    [3] => Array
        (
            [id] => 71231
            [type] => 
        )

    [4] => Array
        (
            [id] => 79765
            [type] => UNT
        )
)

Lucas Martins · Accepted Answer · 2016-07-14 20:52:12Z

0

Yeah I was thinking in a similar solution:

usort($array, function ($a, $b) {   
    return $a['type'] == 'BOX' ? -1 : ($b['type'] == 'BOX' ? 1 : 0);
});

answered Jul 14, 2016 at 20:52

Lucas Martins

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