How to format an array using PHP?

Question

I am trying to get the data from the form I created where I used an array to name them like:

<input type="text" name="fname[]" />
<input type="text" name="mname[]" />
<input type="text" name="lname[]" />

where the said form field are dynamically inserted or removed in the page.

On my script to get the values of the forms, I wrote something like:

$student = array(
     'fname' => '$_POST[fname]',
     'mname' => '$_POST[mname]',
     'lname' => '$_POST[lname]',
);

But when I used var_dump to see the values, each field will be indexed from zero and if it has repeating fields, it would be again be declared as another array inside an array.

What I wanted to do is to have an array with this stucture:

$student = array(
     array(
          'fname' => 'fname1',
          'mname' => 'mname1',
          'lname' => 'lname1'
     ),
     array(
          'fname' => 'fname2',
          'mname' => 'mname3',
          'lname' => 'lname2'
     )
);

I tried using a loop but I just fail again and again. Can anyone help me solve this problem?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Stephan Hovnanian · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-24 04:50:26Z

2

<input type="text" name="student[]['fname']" />
<input type="text" name="student[]['mname']" />
<input type="text" name="student[]['lname']" />

no loops necessary. Your $_POST['student'] variable will automatically be the array you wanted to achieve.

EDIT: this isn't achieving the desired result. It's incrementing student for each field. adding an n value to the first set of brackets like student[n][fname] does achieve the desired result. I don't know how the script is written to dynamically generate these three fields on the fly, but if you can figure out how to add an n value you're golden.

edited Aug 24, 2011 at 4:50

answered Aug 24, 2011 at 4:13

Stephan Hovnanian

1892 silver badges11 bronze badges

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

7 Comments

Decent Dabbler Over a year ago

+1 This was what I was typing in as an answer as well. No need for it anymore.

Jag Over a year ago

Hi Stephan, I am a bit confused on how will I be able to get the values using $_POST[]

Decent Dabbler Over a year ago

@Jag: do a var_dump( $_POST[ 'student' ] ); and you'll see the structure of the student fields.

Jag Over a year ago

I got this one: array(6) { [0]=> array(1) { ["fname"]=> string(6) "fname1" } [1]=> array(1) { ["mname"]=> string(6) "mname1" } [2]=> array(1) { ["lname"]=> string(6) "lname1" } [3]=> array(1) { ["fname"]=> string(6) "fname2" } [4]=> array(1) { ["mname"]=> string(6) "mname2" } [5]=> array(1) { ["lname"]=> string(6) "lname2" } } Does this have the same structure as I indicated above?

Stephan Hovnanian Over a year ago

@Jag: see edit in my answer; you mentioned these fields were generated on the fly, so you'll need to figure out a way on the front-end to add a numeric value in the empty bracket, like student[0][fname]. Then you're all set. I tested it a few different ways and this was the only way to achieve the array you are looking for.

|

Clint C. · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-24 04:25:24Z

0

<?php

for($i=0; $i<count($_POST['fname']); $i++) {

$student[] = array(
         'fname' => $_POST['fname'][$i],
         'mname' => $_POST['mname'][$i],
         'lname' => $_POST['lname'][$i],
          );  
}

?>

edited Aug 24, 2011 at 4:25

answered Aug 24, 2011 at 4:10

Clint C.

68813 silver badges33 bronze badges

2 Comments

Jag Over a year ago

Since my form field numbers vary from every submit, what would I do for me to stop the loop? Sorry Clint, I'm still very new in programming.

Clint C. Over a year ago

Stephans is much easier/better way of doing it but I updated my example with a loop in it incase it's the looping you're confused about.

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 09:59:08Z

0

Oops, I thought Stephan's answer would suffice, but rather, it should be the following I believe (can't test right now). Try it:

<input type="text" name="student[0]['fname']" />
<input type="text" name="student[0]['mname']" />
<input type="text" name="student[0]['lname']" />

<input type="text" name="student[1]['fname']" />
<input type="text" name="student[1]['mname']" />
<input type="text" name="student[1]['lname']" />

etc...

(note the added numeric indexes)

Then when you do a echo '<pre>' . print_r( $_POST[ 'student' ], true ); you should see the structure you are looking for.

edited May 23, 2017 at 9:59

CommunityBot

11 silver badge

answered Aug 24, 2011 at 4:52

Decent Dabbler

22.8k11 gold badges77 silver badges107 bronze badges

1 Comment

Jag Over a year ago

I wanted to have the form fields added and removed on the fly so, I should figure out how to add student[n][fname] so on. Thanks anyways for tell me how to cleanly print the array.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to format an array using PHP?

3 Answers 3

7 Comments

2 Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

7 Comments

2 Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related