PHP use Array of indexes as Array index

Question

I have an array of indexes and a value to insert.

$indexes = [0,1,4];
$value_to_insert = 820;
$array_to_fill = [];

How can i use the indexes array like this to insert a value:

$array_to_fill[$indexes] = 820;

To produce a nested array of this style:

$array_tree = [
            "0" => [
                "1" => [
                    "4" => 820
                ]
            ]
        ]

i tried using pointers to maybe save the location of the array but that only saves a chunk of the array not the position. I have spent too many hours on this and help would be very much appreciated.

Joffrey Schmitz · Accepted Answer · 2021-11-14 08:13:22Z

2

You can create a "pointer" with & and update it to point to the latest level you create :

$indexes = [0,1,4];
$value_to_insert = 820;
$array_to_fill = [];

$current_root = &$array_to_fill ; // pointer to the root of the array
foreach($indexes as $i)
{
    $current_root[$i] = array(); // create a new sub-array
    $current_root = &$current_root[$i] ; // move the pointer to this new level
}
$current_root = $value_to_insert ; // finally insert the value into the last level
unset($current_root);

print_r($array_to_fill);

edited Nov 14, 2021 at 8:13

answered Nov 14, 2021 at 8:07

Joffrey Schmitz

2,4483 gold badges24 silver badges30 bronze badges

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

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

PHP use Array of indexes as Array index

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related