php - multidimensional array regex search and print out partial array to look at structure

Question

I have this array structure, it is stored in a variable $xxx

Array
(
    [xyz] => Array
        (
            [1] => 3
            [0] => s
        )

    [d2s] => Array
        (
            [a] => 96
            [d] => 4

         )
...
)

It is a long array, and I don't want to out put the whole thing, how do print only the first 5 (1st dimension) values along with the 2nd dimension values?

Secondly, if I want this array to contain only alphabets in the FIRST dimension, how do I either delete values that don't match that requirement or retain values that match the requirement? so that my final array would be

Array
(
    [xyz] => Array
        (
            [1] => 3
            [0] => s
        )

...
)

TIA

@josh, I tried foreach ($main as $val), and then match pattern against $val, if no match, unset($main[$val]), but I get the error saying that expected $val as a string but it is an array. — Jamex
– Jamex, Commented Mar 17, 2012 at 2:06
I offered a solution, but it would be best to provide the code you're having trouble with along with the error. — Josh
– Josh, Commented Mar 17, 2012 at 2:19

Josh · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-17 02:29:49Z

1

To output only the first 5 elements, use array_slice:

array_slice($arr, 0, 5)

To remove any elements whose index contains non-alpha characters.

foreach ($arr AS $index => $value) {
        // Remove the element if the index contains non-alpha characters
        if (preg_match('/[^A-Za-z]/', $index))
                unset($arr[$index]);
}

Check it out in action.

edited Mar 17, 2012 at 2:29

answered Mar 17, 2012 at 2:16

Josh

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3 Comments

Jamex Over a year ago

Hi Josh, thanks for the code, I actually did the 2nd part of the code exactly the same way you just did and it works. As for the first part, I meant to say print out the 1st dimension value and the 2nd dimension values (I left out the 'dimension' in my original question, sorry). I was basically looking for a quick way of using print_r, something like print_r ($arr,0,5), but I guest that function does not exist. Thanks again.

Josh Over a year ago

That makes more sense. A native function does exist for what you're looking for. I've updated the solution accordingly.

Jamex Over a year ago

haha, array slice, doh! moment for me, and to think I have been using print_r and waiting like a fool for the output to print all these times.

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