Uploading Data to Mysql DB from an API with PHP

Question

I have an some data I'm working with that has lots of fields and subfields and subsubfields like:

{field: value;
field: value;
field: [
   {field:value;
    field:value;
    field: [
       {field:value;}
    ]}
]}

We went with a Mysql db (maybe that was a mistake). I'm writing a PHP script right now to get data from the API and insert it into the db. And I'm getting held up on the design pattern to use. I would think something like:

function() insertArrayIntoTable($tableName, $array){}

Would work... but I got held up on having to keep track of ID fields within the parent array and how to pass that to MULTIPLE offspring, who in turn have multiple offspring. So I didn't even bother trying to write something like:

function() insertArrayIntoTable($tableNames, $array, $parentNames){
   for($i=0;$i<count($array);$i++){
      if(is_array($array[$i])){insertArrayIntoTable($tableNames[$i],$array[$i],$parentNames[]);}
   }
}

Because I was afraid to write a function that calls ITSELF in some sort of nested loop.... it just seems wrong. Any advice?

if you don't know how much nested field you will have, you don't have much choice other than using a recursive function like the one you showed. just remember to send a return back to keep going with the "second array element" — LordNeo
– LordNeo, Commented Sep 29, 2017 at 21:03

Isaiah · Accepted Answer · 2017-09-29 21:11:56Z

1

MySQL isn't that bad, so it's fine to use it.

Writing a function that calls itself is also not wrong, as you are traversing through a tree with a variable amount of children / children's children, etc. It will probably be necessary to do recursion.

If you are just trying to store an array as a field, make sure you store it as json format and convert it to a string, and that the field for the array is VARCHAR type

answered Sep 29, 2017 at 21:11

Isaiah

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1 Comment

rikkitikkitumbo Over a year ago

thanks! Even just writing out some pseduo code has made me think... 'why not just try it?'

soft87 · Accepted Answer · 2017-09-29 21:08:08Z

1

In this case, you can use recursion. A default value is required for the parent.

answered Sep 29, 2017 at 21:08

soft87

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