If array key contains string, move values to parent element

Question

I have the following snippet of a large array:

Array
(
    [agreementTypes] => Array
        (
            [WS_PEAgreementType] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [description] => Blah blah blah
                            [type] => Contract Supply
                        )

                    [1] => Array
                        (
                            [description] => Standard
                            [type] => Standard
                        )

                )

        )

Any key with "WS_PE" in it is redundant. Some are different to the above and in different levels of the array. I would like to find any key containing "WS_PE", take its values, and assign them directly to the parent of the found "WS_PE" key.

The above snippet needs to be so:

Array
    (
        [agreementTypes] => Array
            (
                [0] => Array
                    (
                        [description] => Blah blah blah
                        [type] => Contract Supply
                    )

                [1] => Array
                    (
                        [description] => Standard
                        [type] => Standard
                    )

            )

Finding the key is easy in a for loop. But I'm stuck knowing the name and level of the main array the parent of found key is (recursively).

EDIT: Here is a recursive function I have written. It works in terms of keeping track of the name of the parent key, but not the level/location in the array:

class PISupport {

    private $previousKey;

    public function stripRedundantAspireTags($rawData) {
        $returnArray = array();

        foreach($rawData as $key => $data) {

            if(false !== strpos($key, 'WS_PE')) {
                // Want to remove this key and assign data to the previous key
                $keyToUse = $this->previousKey;
            } else {
                // Just use the current key in the loop
                $keyToUse = $key;
            }

            $this->previousKey = $key;

            if(is_array($data)) {
                $obj[$keyToUse] = $this->stripRedundantAspireTags($data); //RECURSION
            } else {
                $obj[$keyToUse] = $data;
            }


        }

        return $returnArray;
    }
}

UPDATE

Almost working example thanks to didierc. The one issue is somehow it's discarding all elements but the first element of the first level of the array. Logic bug somewhere: https://gist.github.com/anonymous/b2fe834209ad74502824

Are the WS_PE keys fixed? I mean are they always in the second level, or might be nested? If it's nested you need to write a recursive function — Javad
– Javad, Commented Jun 10, 2014 at 21:48
See stackoverflow.com/questions/20592046/… as a starting point. I don't have time right now to write a real answer. But you'll learn better if you figure it out yourself, use that as a hint. — Barmar
– Barmar, Commented Jun 10, 2014 at 21:49
Here's another question that applies: stackoverflow.com/questions/21938442/… — Dan
– Dan, Commented Jun 10, 2014 at 22:02
Where is the WS_PE located in the key name? is it always at the beginning? If not, how do you know which key it should be assigned to in the uppper array? — didierc
– didierc, Commented Jun 10, 2014 at 22:04

didierc · Accepted Answer · 2014-06-10 23:46:06Z

1

Here's my solution: it assumes the redundant key always start with the WS_PE prefix. It also supposes that there are no such key at the first level of the array.

function strip_boxing(&$parent, &$array){
  $keys = array();
  foreach($array as $key => $value){
    if (strpos($key, 'WS_PE') === 0) {
      $parent[substr($key,5,strlen($key) - 5)] = $value;
      array_push($keys, $key);
    }
    if (is_array($value)){
      strip_boxing($array, $value);
    }
  }
  foreach($keys as $k)
    unset($array[$k]);
}

A wrapper function will do the trick for the complete array:

function remove_ws_pe(&$data){
  $of = array();
  strip_boxing($of, $data);
  $data = array_merge($of, $data);
}

This code worked with the following value:

$a = array
  (
   'agreementTypes' => array
   (
    'WS_PEagreementTypes' => array 
    (
     '0' => array(
      'description' => 'Blah blah blah',
      'type' => 'Contract Supply'
      ),
     '1' => array(
      'description' => 'Standard',
      'type' => 'Standard'
      )
     )
    ));

If you turn it into a class, you could easily tune:

the key matching expression (strpos...)
and parent key selection (substr...). Be careful with overwriting though: if you have 2 entries or more in $array which contains the "WS_PE" pattern, how do you pick which parent key will be used?

edited Jun 10, 2014 at 23:46

answered Jun 10, 2014 at 22:13

didierc

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10 Comments

Aaryn Over a year ago

This is actually pretty clever with passing the parent array itself into the recursive call. Not sure how you would make the initial call though. You won't have a parent. I'm just trying a few things with your code now. Thank you.

didierc Over a year ago

Well, if you have these keys at the top level of the array, where would you put them anyway?

Aaryn Over a year ago

Sorry I mean I'm not sure how you would call strip_boxing() in the first place if there is no $parent. Just the original entire array. Still trying something with your code. I think this is definitely the right track.

didierc Over a year ago

it's in the answer now.

Arie Over a year ago

I've spent some time on this question; has been quite the brain cracker for me. In this strip_boxing function, I don't see any return. I think you somehow need to go in two levels or go recursively backwards but right now I can't think straight anymore. Good luck though.

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