Using foreach with a variable which may NOT be an array

Question

So, here's my situation :

I'm getting some input stored in a variable ($keywords). This variable may either be a string (=1 keyword) - like "banana", or it may be an array (=multiple keywords) - like array ("banana","apple","mango").

This is the way I'm using it :

foreach ($keywords as $keyword)
{
    // do sth with $keyword
}

This works fine when $keyword is an array, but when it's not I'm getting errors. (quite obviously)

What would be the most efficient workaround, to avoid errors, while keeping my foreach structure as-is?

This is what I've thought of (to put before the loop), but I don't really like it :

if (count($keywords)==1) $keywords = array($keywords);

UPDATE : Guys, I know about is_array. My point was to do it as elegantly as possible, without adding block of code or creating a mess with switch or if/else statements, etc.

amd · Accepted Answer · 2012-08-02 06:47:19Z

6

simply cast the variable to array:

$keywords = (array) $keywords;

if the variable is an array no thing will happen , otherwise it will be transformed to an array : so 1 will be array(1) AND 'keyword' will be array('keyword')

edited Aug 2, 2012 at 6:47

answered Aug 1, 2012 at 12:42

amd

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4 Comments

Dr.Kameleon Over a year ago

Fabulously simple; 7 answers (so far) and only you got the very essence of my question. Thanks a lot, buddy!

Peon Over a year ago

Gj, deleted my answer for this ;)

Rhys Over a year ago

Was just writing a similar thing when i saw this, +1.

Fluffeh Over a year ago

Yeah, totally beat my (deleted) answer. +1

MiDo · Accepted Answer · 2012-08-01 12:38:59Z

0

if (isset($keywords) && !is_array($keywords)) { $keywords = Array($keywords); }
else if (!isset($keywords)) { $keywords = Array(); }

answered Aug 1, 2012 at 12:38

MiDo

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Comments

Stijn_d · Accepted Answer · 2012-08-01 12:39:07Z

0

Just use the is_array command: http://php.net/manual/en/function.is-array.php

answered Aug 1, 2012 at 12:39

Stijn_d

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Comments

Community · Accepted Answer · 2023-11-17 19:59:20Z

0

use the php is_array built-in function

if(is_array($keywords))
foreach ($keywords as $keyword)
{
    // do sth with $keyword
}

edited Nov 17, 2023 at 19:59

CommunityBot

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answered Aug 1, 2012 at 12:39

kawashita86

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Comments

dpitkevics · Accepted Answer · 2012-08-01 12:39:13Z

0

$type = gettype($keywords);
switch ($type)
{
    case "string":
       // do what you need with string
       break;
    case "array":
       foreach ($keywords as $keyword)
       {
           // do smth when is array
       }
       break;
}

Check for type, my solution allows You to check wether is string, array or other type, which You may specify if needed. In simplier solution, use if (is_array($keywords);

answered Aug 1, 2012 at 12:39

dpitkevics

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1 Comment

MiDo Over a year ago

OP wants to convert the string to an array to use it in the foreach loop - your solution would break after converting it and make no use of the loop.

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