Php string explode string based on characters match with string condition

Question

I have strings like this:

$string1 = '35 Hose & Couplings/350902 GARDEN HOSE COUPLING, PVC, 16\/19 MM"';

$string2 = '35 Hose & Couplings/350904 GARDEN HOSE TAP CONNECTOR, PVC, 3\/4" FEMALE THREAD"';

I tried to separate the string and turn it into an array like this:

$name1 = explode('/', $string1);
$name1 = trim(end($name1));
$name2 = explode('/', $string2);
$name2 = trim(end($name2));

/*
 #results
 $name1[0] = '35 Hose & Couplings';
 $name1[1] = '350902 GARDEN HOSE COUPLING, PVC, 16\';
 $name1[2] = '19 MM"';
 ...
 #expected results
 $name1[0] = '35 Hose & Couplings';
 $name1[1] = '350902 GARDEN HOSE COUPLING, PVC, 16\/19 MM"';
 ...
*/

I want to explode the string when there is / only, but when it meets \/ it shouldn't explode the string, my code still explode the string if it contains \/, is there a way to do this?

'i want to explode the string when there is '/' only, but when it meets '/' it will not explode the string'- what do you mean ? — Istiaque Ahmed
– Istiaque Ahmed, Commented Feb 26, 2018 at 10:48
have you looked at preg_split (php.net/manual/de/function.preg-split.php) — EGOrecords
– EGOrecords, Commented Feb 26, 2018 at 10:51
I think this is a job for regex, unfortunately my regex skills suck. Maybe you could try looking here for further assistance until someone can provide better guidance regexr.com — IsThisJavascript
– IsThisJavascript, Commented Feb 26, 2018 at 10:52
You an either first "protect" the exception "\\/" by replacing it with some "magical" sequence and convert it back after having replaced the remaining "/" occurrances, or you use a regular expression with lookahead. — arkascha
– arkascha, Commented Feb 26, 2018 at 10:54

trincot · Accepted Answer · 2018-02-26 12:36:29Z

3

You could use a regular expression with negative look-behind:

$parts = preg_split('~(?<!\\\\)/~', $string1);

See example on eval.in

edited Feb 26, 2018 at 12:36

answered Feb 26, 2018 at 10:56

trincot

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3 Comments

Michał Skrzypek Over a year ago

I like that solution. It does the job and the regex looks like a fish.

revo Over a year ago

It would be nice if you provide a live demo in your answer.

trincot Over a year ago

@revo, as far as I know SO does not have possibilities for live PHP demos within answers -- as exists for JavaScript. But I added a link.

Michał Skrzypek · Accepted Answer · 2018-02-26 10:56:31Z

1

You can go like this:

$string1 = str_replace("\/","@",$string1);
$name1 = explode('/', $string1);
foreach($name1 as $id => $name) {
    $name1[$id] = str_replace("@","\/",$name1[$id]);
}

a little cumbersome, I know, but should do the trick. Wrap it in a function for better readability.

Basically I replaced the string you do not want to explode by with a temporary string and reverted it back after exploding.

edited Feb 26, 2018 at 10:56

answered Feb 26, 2018 at 10:53

Michał Skrzypek

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8 Comments

Michał Skrzypek Over a year ago

Then use something else, like # or whatever. Code needs to be adjusted to a project, always.

Michał Skrzypek Over a year ago

You are right, I copied that code fragment from the question. I removed it now.

nortonuser Over a year ago

@MichałSkrzypek it prints 350902 GARDEN HOSE COUPLING, PVC, 16@19 MM" the @ is replacing the \/ , there'll be a problem if i want to use @

Michał Skrzypek Over a year ago

Yes, it was suggested above, I advised to use "#" or whatever sign you will not need instead. The foreach loop should revert @ back to \/.

IsThisJavascript Over a year ago

Although I believe regex is the way forward with this; you could also user multiple symbols that you would never have in sequence. @#]! for example...

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