create a variable name from a string.. php

Question

Generally I pass an array of parameters to my functions.

function do_something($parameters) {}

To access those parameters I have to use: $parameters['param1']

What I would like to do, is run some sort of logic inside this function on those parameters that converts that array into normal variables. My main reasons is just that sometimes I have to pass a whole load of parameters and having to type $parameters['..'] is a pain.

foreach($parameters as $key=>$paremeter) {
    "$key" = $parameter;
}

I thought that might work.. but no cigar!

Not to mention that you're assigning it to a literal string (which isn't possible)... $$key = would work, but not "$key" = ... — ircmaxell
– ircmaxell, Commented Aug 25, 2010 at 20:08

BoltClock · Accepted Answer · 2010-08-25 19:46:49Z

4

Use extract():

function do_something($parameters) {
    extract($parameters);

    // Do stuff; for example, echo one of the parameters
    if (isset($param1)) {
        echo "param1 = $param1";
    }
}

do_something(array('param1' => 'foo'));

answered Aug 25, 2010 at 19:46

BoltClock

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2 Comments

ircmaxell Over a year ago

And you can add "defaults" by doing something like extract($parameters + array('param1' => null, 'param2' => null))... One other thing though. If you're going to directly push $parameters to extract, I'd suggest adding an array type hint function do_something(array $parameters) to prevent trying to extract some other type...

bcosca Over a year ago

Use of extract() specially if it's outside a function or the parameters come from user input is a great security risk.

Jacob Mattison · Accepted Answer · 2010-08-25 19:47:41Z

3

Try $$key=$parameter.

answered Aug 25, 2010 at 19:47

Jacob Mattison

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2 Comments

gen_Eric Over a year ago

That works too, but extract($parameter) probably is easier.

Jacob Mattison Over a year ago

I agree, but I figured the OP might want to know what was wrong with the specific approach he was using.

Sarfraz · Accepted Answer · 2010-08-25 19:46:45Z

1

Just extract the variables from array using extract:

Import variables into the current symbol table from an array

extract($parameters);

Now you can access the variables directly eg $var which are keys present in the array.

answered Aug 25, 2010 at 19:46

Sarfraz

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Comments

gen_Eric · Accepted Answer · 2010-08-25 19:47:26Z

0

There is the extract function. This is what you want.

$array = array('a'=>'dog', 'b'=>'cat');
extract($array);
echo $a; //'dog'
echo $b; //'cat'

answered Aug 25, 2010 at 19:47

gen_Eric

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