find/replace in PHP string [duplicate]

Question

I have a PHP string in which I would like to find and replace using the strtr function, problem is I have variable fields so I won't be able to replace by name. The string contains tags like the following:

[field_1=Company]

[field_4=Name]

What makes it difficult is the "Company" and "Name" part of the "tag", these can be variable. So I basically looking for a way to replace this part [field_1] where "=Company" and "=Name" must be discarded. Can this be done?

To explain: I'm using "=Company" so users don't just see "field_1" but know the value it represents. However users are able to change the value to what they see fit.

This can be done with preg_replace and regular expressions. preg_replace manuals — Philipp Maurer
– Philipp Maurer, Commented Dec 21, 2017 at 16:21
@PhilippMaurer figured that, but I'm not an expert in regex field :-) — vespino
– vespino, Commented Dec 21, 2017 at 16:22
@OpoloWebdesign stackoverflow is not a programming service. Your problem is somewhat simple still. A good point to start working with regular expressions is regexone.com in my opinion. :-) — Philipp Maurer
– Philipp Maurer, Commented Dec 21, 2017 at 16:24
what is the output you want for this input after replacement — Death-is-the-real-truth
– Death-is-the-real-truth, Commented Dec 21, 2017 at 16:25
We are always glad to help and support new coders but you need to help yourself first. :-) After doing more research if you have a problem post what you've tried with a clear explanation of what isn't working and provide a Minimal, Complete, and Verifiable example. Read How to Ask a good question. Be sure to take the tour and read this. — Jay Blanchard
– Jay Blanchard, Commented Dec 21, 2017 at 16:26

Derek · Accepted Answer · 2017-12-21 16:31:03Z

1

You are probably looking for regular expressions. There is a function in PHP to do a regex replace:

http://php.net/manual/en/function.preg-replace.php

Been a while since I've worked in PHP but you might want to try something like this:

preg_replace('/field_\d/','REPLACEMENT','[field_1=Company]');

Should result in

[REPLACEMENT=Company]

If you want to replace everything except the brackets:

preg_replace('/field_\d+=\w+/','REPLACEMENT','[field_1=Company]');

edited Dec 21, 2017 at 16:31

answered Dec 21, 2017 at 16:24

Derek

1,1961 gold badge12 silver badges33 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

5 Comments

Jay Blanchard Over a year ago

While this link may answer the question, it is better to include the essential parts of the answer here and provide the link for reference. Link-only answers can become invalid if the linked page changes.

Derek Over a year ago

Sorry I was working on some actual code but messed it up the first time, should be there now!

vespino Over a year ago

Thanks @Derek but I'm looking to find/replace using array called $user_input which contains keys like "field_1" (or "[field_1]") and values like "Something" and "Something here". I'm now getting a mismatch error: Warning: preg_replace(): Parameter mismatch, pattern is a string while replacement is an array in /var/www/html/pdf.php on line 39

C Miller Over a year ago

@vespino It might help if you include your code attempt. But if you are trying to replace the key names in the array (if I am understanding correctly) you may need to loop through the array, run the preg_replace() on the key as a string, insert that new key and its value back into the array, and then delete (unset()) the original key/value element. array_map() might also be something to look at, but still not 100% I understand the situation.

Derek Over a year ago

You should be able to pass in arrays to both the first and second parameter to do what you want. Read the documentation, it provides details.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

find/replace in PHP string [duplicate]

1 Answer 1

5 Comments

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

5 Comments

Linked

Related