PHP in_array function, why this doesn't work?

Question

I have this array, generated from a database:

do {
    $rsvp_array[$row_rsRSVP['rsv_guest']] = array(
        'id' => $row_rsRSVP['rsv_id'],
        'guest' => $row_rsRSVP['rsv_guest'],
        'confirmed' => $row_rsRSVP['rsv_confirmed']
    );
} while ($row_rsRSVP = mysql_fetch_assoc($rsRSVP));

It's vey fine, with print_r() I get this:

Array
(
    [1] => Array
        (
            [id] => 1
            [guest] => 1
            [confirmed] => 1
        )

    [15] => Array
        (
            [id] => 2
            [guest] => 15
            [confirmed] => 0
        )

    [5] => Array
        (
            [id] => 3
            [guest] => 5
            [confirmed] => 1
        )

    [10] => Array
        (
            [id] => 4
            [guest] => 10
            [confirmed] => 1
        )

    [6] => Array
        (
            [id] => 5
            [guest] => 6
            [confirmed] => 0
        )

)

So I know that the array is working.

Now I need to see if a number is in the main array, i.e.:

if (in_array(15, $rsvp_array)) { echo 'OK'; }

And well, this doesn't work! Number 15 is the second key of the array, but no luck! Where am I wrong? Thanks in advance for the answers...

do{}while() is not suitable for fetching data, always use while(){} — zerkms
– zerkms, Commented Apr 13, 2011 at 10:31

Community · Accepted Answer · 2023-11-17 19:42:58Z

17

in_array() will search in the values -- and not the keys.

You should either :

use array_key_exists() : if (array_key_exists(15, $rsvp_array)) {...}
or use isset() to test whether a certain key is set : if (isset($rsvp_array[15])) {...}
or (bad idea) use array_keys() to get the keys, and use in_array() on that array of keys.

edited Nov 17, 2023 at 19:42

CommunityBot

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answered Apr 13, 2011 at 10:31

Pascal MARTIN

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1 Comment

Pascal MARTIN Over a year ago

@Felix : indeed ; I've edited my answer to say it's a bad idea -- and it's now the third proposal (I've added isset as a second proposal, so the last one is the 'bad' one)

Shakti Singh · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-13 10:32:03Z

2

Probably you are looking for array_key_exists in_array used to check if the value is in array not for key.

if (array_key_exists(15,$rsvp_array))
{
  echo "ok";
}

or check it with isset

isset($rsvp_array[15])

answered Apr 13, 2011 at 10:32

Shakti Singh

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Comments

KingCrunch · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-13 10:32:35Z

2

in_array() are only looking at the values of an array, but you want to know, if a specific key is set

if (array_key_exists(15, $rsvp_array)) { echo 'OK'; }

or

if (isset($rsvp[15])) { echo 'OK'; }

The second one is sufficient in most cases, but it doesnt work, if the value is null.

answered Apr 13, 2011 at 10:32

KingCrunch

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