PHP Mass String Replace

Question

In PHP, I want to execute str_replace on multiple variables, efficiently, when all variables shall abide by the same str_replace values.

Bascially, I am expecting to see the following:

$var1=str_replace("0.00","\$0",$var1);
$var2=str_replace("0.00","\$0",$var2);
$var3=str_replace("0.00","\$0",$var3);
$var4=str_replace("0.00","\$0",$var4);
...

this is repetitive and especially annoying when adding more variables to such replace. I have constructed the following loop

foreach ( array("var1","var2","var3","var4") as $variablename ) {
${$variablename} = str_replace("0.00","\$0",${$variablename});
}

This loop works (for those of you viewing this page looking for such an example) , however, I am not convinced that this is the most efficient way (assuming mass replacing)

Any thoughts?

There would be a more efficient way if your list of numbered variables were an array instead. — mario
– mario, Commented Dec 29, 2013 at 3:11
...Agree with @mario. If the variables are related as they appear to be by virtue of requiring the same set of operations, then they may belong in a data structure. — Michael Berkowski
– Michael Berkowski, Commented Dec 29, 2013 at 3:12
so str_replace("0.00","\$0",array("var1","var2",...)) as such? — timtj
– timtj, Commented Dec 29, 2013 at 3:13

AlexP · Accepted Answer · 2013-12-29 03:15:03Z

2

The third parameter of str_replace can accept an array of variables to perform the replace on. It should be better performing that any custom loop.

$results = str_replace("0.00","\$0", array($var1, $var2, $var3));

answered Dec 29, 2013 at 3:15

AlexP

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4 Comments

timtj Over a year ago

I was aware that both the first and second paramaters of this command accepted arrays, but I didn't remember reading about an array-applicable third parameter in the manual. I appreciate your answer. It looks cleaner than mine, and it makes sense too :)

timtj Over a year ago

As a note to others. This works, indeed. The $results variable is stored as an array, and in no way does the variable itself interfere with normal operations. When printing the array, print_r($results) it displays the values of $var1,$var2, and $var3, however the "keys" are numerical, and do not contain the original variable name.

mario Over a year ago

@timtj: If you want to retain the variable names, then an uncommon workaround is creating the array via compact("var1", "var2", "var3"). You might even use extract(str_replace("from", "to", compact("var1", "var2"))); to keep/overwrite your original varlist.

timtj Over a year ago

It seems like a possible workaround. However, is it efficient or will it bog down after multiple variables?

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