PHP use default array to keep live array structured correctly

Question

I have an array holding some default settings for my plugin. As the plugin evolves settings maybe removed or added from version to version.

Here is an example default array:

$defaults = array(
                    'setting1' => 'somevalue',
                    'setting2' => 'somevalue',
                    'setting4' => 'somevalue',
                  );

Here is an example of live settings data that the structure needs to be updated for the new $default structure:

$livesettings = array(
                        'setting1' => 'foo',
                        'setting2' => 'bar',
                        'setting3' => 'foobar',
                      );

I'm looking for a function where I can pass both arrays and the structure of the livesettings is updated to match the $defaults.

So in this case in livesettings:

setting1 and setting2 isn't touched. Their values stay intact
setting3 is removed as no longer needed
setting4 is added with the default value of somevalue

Are their any functions in PHP that can do this in one go? If yes what is it? If no how would I achieve this with PHP code?

you basically want to merge the 2 arrays. try adding a cache mechanism, as i dont think they change that often — Quamis
– Quamis, Commented May 20, 2011 at 11:13
Your question is confusing, I was expecting $livesettings to be the actual dataset you are building because you add setting 4, but then why is setting 3 removed? — Stephane Gosselin
– Stephane Gosselin, Commented May 20, 2011 at 11:25
Image a plugin in use. The admin of the plugin sets the settings for this plugin stored in $livesettings. I publish a new plugin version that no longer uses/needs setting3 but now has setting4. I need to update the users settings to match this new structure without resetting the uses original settings. — Scott
– Scott, Commented May 20, 2011 at 11:32

Ikke · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-20 11:16:56Z

8

You want a combination of array_intersect_key() and array_merge().

$livesettings = array_intersect_key($livesettings, $defaults);
$livesettings = array_merge($defaults, $livesettings);

The first function will remove all keys not found in $defaults, while the second would add items from $defaults not found in $livesettings

edited May 20, 2011 at 11:16

answered May 20, 2011 at 11:10

Ikke

102k23 gold badges101 silver badges121 bronze badges

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

Comments

Tufan Barış Yıldırım · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-20 11:15:11Z

1

you don't need to a function for this problam, you can also use the $defaults like a base array,

    $defaults = array(
                        'setting1' => 'somevalue',
                        'setting2' => 'somevalue',
                        'setting4' => 'somevalue',
                      );

    $livesettings = $defaults; // it will be copited by value,

    $livesettings['setting1']  = 'overriden setting 1';
    $livesettings['setting3'] = 'added new setting to live config';

answered May 20, 2011 at 11:15

Tufan Barış Yıldırım

3,97228 silver badges37 bronze badges

3 Comments

Scott Over a year ago

I dont want $livesettings values overridden by $defaults values. I just want the key structure mapped from defaults to $livesettings

Tufan Barış Yıldırım Over a year ago

overriden is only for $livesettings array, $default will not be changed.

Scott Over a year ago

Sorry you are completely missing the point. Understood as my question I feel could be a bit more clearer.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

PHP use default array to keep live array structured correctly

2 Answers 2

Comments

3 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

3 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related