php loop statement question

Question

I'm wondering if it is possible to loop a variable within a variable? Here is something I want to setup:

$var1 = Benjamin
$var2 = George
$var3 = Abraham

and probably echo out something like

<li>Benjamin</li>
<li>George</li>
<li>Abraham</li>

but I want to know, if I want to add $var4 = ..., $var5 = ..., is there a way I can do this all in a loop? I'm thinking having an empty() function that'll loop the variable names/numbers until reaches the first empty variable?

im confused, but i think the answer is an array()

user557846
– user557846

2011-03-23 00:17:33 +00:00
Commented Mar 23, 2011 at 0:17 — user557846
– user557846, Commented Mar 23, 2011 at 0:17

Mike Lewis · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-23 00:17:32Z

7

You could store them in an array.

$names = array('Mike', 'Jim', 'Tom', 'Stacy');

foreach($names as $name){
  echo $name;
}

As seen here: http://www.ideone.com/f7Ce7

answered Mar 23, 2011 at 0:17

Mike Lewis

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Comments

Javi R · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-23 00:25:04Z

6

In PHP you can do this:

    $var1 = "foo";
    $var2 = "bar";

    $name = "var1";
    $i=1;
    while( !is_null( $$name ) ) {
            echo '<li>' . $$name . '</li>';
            $i++;
            $name = "var$i";
    }

but a better solution may be using an array and a foreach

answered Mar 23, 2011 at 0:25

Javi R

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6 Comments

easel Over a year ago

Bonus for answering the question asked and caveating it.

Matt Over a year ago

wow as the others have said, thanks for creating this. It helps me learn more about how to use php!

Zydeco Over a year ago

+1 for variable variables. php.net/manual/en/language.variables.variable.php

Lightness Races in Orbit Over a year ago

@Zydeco: Variable variables are not to be +1'd.

Zydeco Over a year ago

@Tomalak: If you feel that way, then don't, but be considerate of the fact that not everyone thinks like you do. Variable variables are extremely useful and not many people utilize them at all.

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lotsoffreetime · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-23 00:17:47Z

2

This sounds like you want to use arrays and foreach. Am I missing something?

$presidents = array(
  'Benjamin', 'George', 'Abraham'
);

foreach($presidents as $pres) {
 echo "$pres\n";
}

answered Mar 23, 2011 at 0:17

lotsoffreetime

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Comments

user557846 · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-23 00:18:55Z

2

$var=array('Benjamin', 'George', 'Abraham');

foreach ($var as $name){
echo $name;
}

answered Mar 23, 2011 at 0:18

user557846

Comments

Jess · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-23 00:19:22Z

0

A better solution would be arrays. define it as: $names = array(0=>"Benjamin",1=>"George",2=>"Abraham");

Then loop through it with:

foreach ($names as $id=>$name)
{
    echo $name;
}

Then reference a name with $names[0], if you want to add another use $names[] = 'William'; Look up more information at:http://php.net/manual/en/language.types.array.php

answered Mar 23, 2011 at 0:19

Jess

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Comments

Michael Copeland · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-23 00:34:17Z

0

This solution doesn't require the use of an array.

$var1 = 'Benjamin';
$var2 = 'George';
$var3 = 'Abraham';
//add as many variables as you want

$i = 0;
$currentVariable = 'var'.$i;
while (isset($$currentVariable)) {
    //process variable
    echo $$currentVariable;
    $i++;
}

edited Mar 23, 2011 at 0:34

answered Mar 23, 2011 at 0:24

Michael Copeland

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2 Comments

Lightness Races in Orbit Over a year ago

It doesn't require an array, but an array is the best solution. This is what arrays were created for, back in 1940s. However, you do get credit for answering the literal question correctly. :)

Michael Copeland Over a year ago

Agreed, Tomalak. An array is the best solution the majority of the time. Variable variables are useful in a handful of cases though.

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