PHP preg_split Not Working

Question

please refer to the code below.

$dArr = '<script>document.write(volunteerDist);</script>';

$dArr gets the value of volunteerDist. echo $dArr prints the value 4.1,9.4,2.3,4.7,9.1,14.7,3.2,7.1,4.1,0.5

I wanted to split this into elements in an Array so I used:

$dArr = preg_split("/,/", $dArr);

But $dArr is an array with only one element, which is all of the values.. meaning no preg_split took place. I also tried

$temp=explode(",", $dArr);

but still did not work.

I tried to paste the value (i.e. the numbers above) and preg_split it directly

$temp=explode(",", '4.1,9.4,2.3,4.7,9.1,14.7,3.2,7.1,4.1,0.5');

and it was successful. What is wrong? TAKE NOTE that when I echo $dArr, the numbers are printed.

First off, if you're only splitting on the , you should use explode() anyway. The performance loss of preg_split() is negligible, but if you're doing this is any sort of iteration, you may as well benefit from the brevity and speed of explode(). — Dan Lugg
– Dan Lugg, Commented Mar 15, 2012 at 11:39
No, echo $dArr prints the <script> tag, the browser then renders that as your list of numbers. View source on the page and you'll see what I mean. You can't use Javascript within PHP this way. — Jon Grant
– Jon Grant, Commented Mar 15, 2012 at 11:40
Im pretty sure your first line is going to fail .... the code to the right of = is executed on the front end ... have you checked $dArr is not empty ??? — Manse
– Manse, Commented Mar 15, 2012 at 11:41
Are you expecting that JavaScript code to run when the PHP is executing so you get the numbers? — epascarello
– epascarello, Commented Mar 15, 2012 at 11:42

score 5 · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-15 14:21:19Z

5

You are mixing server side and client side code and logic here.

You see the "correct" output because of the document.write method that writes the output to the browser.

You can't interact directly with client side variable in a server side code.

You will have to either use AJAX to send the client side value to the server, or parse it in the client side:

<script type="text/javascript">
var dArr = volunteerDist.split(",");
for (var i = 0; i < dArr.length; i++)
   document.write(dArr[i] + "<br />");
</script>

Edit: although I'm not PHP developer, reading some other posts gave me enough sample codes.

To send the value of the client side volunteerDist variable to PHP and save to database, first of all include jQuery in your code:

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.7.1/jquery.min.js"></script>

Now have this somewhere after the variable is defined and created:

<script type="text/javascript">
$.ajax({
    type: "POST",
    url: "yourpagehere.php",
    data: "volunteerDist=" + volunteerDist,
    dataType: "html"
});
</script>

And to read this data and add to database:

<?php
    $volunteerDist = $_POST['volunteerDist'];
    if(isset($volunteerDist)) {
        $dArr = preg_split("/,/", $volunteerDist);
        foreach($dArr as $volunteer) {
            $sql = "INSERT INTO TableName (fieldname) VALUES ('".$volunteer."')";
            mysql_query($sql) or die(mysql_error());
        }
    }
?>

Of course, you need to change the page name, table name and field name to your real values.

edited Mar 15, 2012 at 14:21

answered Mar 15, 2012 at 11:52

user447356

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17 Comments

Brandon Young Over a year ago

var_dump($dArr) returned string(47) "4.1,9.4,2.3,4.7,9.1,14.7,3.2,7.1,4.1,0.5" so that means $dArr already got the data.. i need to use it in php because i need to insert them in my databse

user447356 Over a year ago

Right. Count the character in <script>document.write(volunteerDist);</script> = exactly 47. When sent to the browser it will show the value in the client side variable volunteerDist. Change the string to: $dArr = '<script>alert(volunteerDist);</script>'; and maybe you will see what I'm trying to say all along.

user447356 Over a year ago

To insert this to database you will have to use AJAX. Look for jQuery AJAX it's the most simple and friendly way - include the jQuery basic library then with one line you can send the value to your PHP code.

Brandon Young Over a year ago

okay okay.. so how can I transfer the values into my php code for insertion in mysql?

user447356 Over a year ago

Like I said, jQuery AJAX is the most simple way.

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