Change Web Text Using PHP Based on URL Parameter

Question

I'm looking to change the the article a/an in a webpage based on a parameter passed via the URL. So for example, I've got mywebpage.com/?page&qry=dog as the URL, so I would want any a/an articles to be "a" dog (vs "an" aardvark were that the qry). I'm trying to use the code below, however I'm getting a parse error any time I try to load the page.

<?php in_array(substr($_GET['qry'],0,1), array('a','e','i','o','u')) ? 'an' 'a'; ?>

If also tried an IF/ELSE statement, which lead to the same result.

<?php if(in_array(substr($_GET['qry'],0,1), array('a','e','i','o','u'))):'an':'a'; ?>

I'm sure I'm missing something simple, most likely related to my attempt to insert this snippet amongst standard HTML text; can anyone spot my error(s)?

This is the error I get back:

Parse error: parse error in C:\Program Files (x86)\Apache Software Foundation\Apache2.2\htdocs\testsite\html\page.html.php on line 117

Thank you!

<?php if(in_array(substr($_GET['qry'],0,1), array('a','e','i','o','u')))?'an':'a'; ?> try that. Not sure if it will work though. — Funk Forty Niner
– Funk Forty Niner, Commented Jun 4, 2015 at 1:59
<?php in_array(substr($_GET['qry'],0,1), array('a','e','i','o','u'))?'an':'a'; ?> removing the if(). Try that. Ternaries don't use if. — Funk Forty Niner
– Funk Forty Niner, Commented Jun 4, 2015 at 2:09
Perfect! Also, for anyone who tries to use this in the future, I'd forgotten to echo the statement (which is easily remedied...<?php echo ... If you add the above as an answer I'll be sure to mark it as such. Thank you so much for your help! — Jake
– Jake, Commented Jun 4, 2015 at 2:13

Funk Forty Niner · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-04 02:13:20Z

6

<?php in_array(substr($_GET['qry'],0,1), array('a','e','i','o','u')) ? 'an' : 'a'; ?>

Removing the if(). Ternary operators don't use if(), that's what they're for, to conditionally check all in one go.

Reference:

http://php.net/manual/en/language.operators.comparison.php

Footnotes: (OP)

"Perfect! Also, for anyone who tries to use this in the future, I'd forgotten to echo the statement (which is easily remedied...<?php echo ... If you add the above as an answer I'll be sure to mark it as such. Thank you so much for your help!"

answered Jun 4, 2015 at 2:13

Funk Forty Niner

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fjcero · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-04 02:13:15Z

0

The ternary operator syntax is:

($conditions) ? "if condition is true" : "if condition is false";

In the first example you have a missing : between the possible values. And in the second you have an extra : after condition. Here is the manual and explanation for this operators: http://php.net/manual/en/language.operators.comparison.php (search for ternary operator)

answered Jun 4, 2015 at 2:13

fjcero

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