PHP: how to generate variables from array foreach

Question

Is it possible to generate variable names from array or list to avoid repetition? I am pulling item values from html form, this is the excerpt of code:

    $item1 = $item2 = $item3 = $item4 = "";


    if (isset($_GET["submit"])) {

        if (!empty($_GET["item1"])) { $item1 = htmlentities($_GET["item1"]);} else { $item1="*"; }
        if (!empty($_GET["item2"])) { $item2 = htmlentities($_GET["item2"]);} else { $item2="*"; } 
        if (!empty($_GET["item3"])) { $item3 = htmlentities($_GET["item3"]);} else { $item3="*"; } 
        if (!empty($_GET["item4"])) { $item4 = htmlentities($_GET["item4"]);} else { $item4="*"; } 

    }

Would it be possible to make array of items and generate the if block with foreach ?

Use arrays. Much easier to iterate.

John Conde
– John Conde

2017-03-21 14:17:46 +00:00
Commented Mar 21, 2017 at 14:17 — John Conde
– John Conde, Commented Mar 21, 2017 at 14:17

Mazz · Accepted Answer · 2017-03-21 14:22:35Z

1

Consider saving the values in an array

For the whole $_GET

$items = [];  
foreach($_GET as $key=>$val) {
    $items[$val] = !empty($val) ? htmlentities($val) : '*';
}

print_r($items);

For some predefined elements in $elements

$items = []; 
$elements = array('item1','item2');

foreach($elements as $val) {
    $items[$val] = !empty($_GET[$val]) ? htmlentities($_GET[$val]) : '*';
}

print_r($items);

answered Mar 21, 2017 at 14:22

Mazz

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2 Comments

t-str-os Over a year ago

That's it! Thank you very much!

Mazz Over a year ago

You're welcome. Don't forget to upvote and mark it as answer ;)

msw · Accepted Answer · 2017-03-21 14:24:58Z

0

something like this?

$names = array('item1', 'item2','item3','item4');

foreach($names as $name)
{
    $$name = '';
    if (isset($_GET['submit']))
        $$name = empty($_GET[$name])?'*':htmlentities($_GET[$name]);

}

answered Mar 21, 2017 at 14:24

msw

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