What is an efficient way to split a multidimensional array into a set of arrays based on a value?

Question

I have a multidimensional array like the following:

Array (

       [0] => stdClass Object (
                [name] => StackOverflow
                [image] => CanHelp.jpg
       ) 

       [1] => stdClass Object (
                [name] => AnotherObject
                [image] => SecondImage.jpg
       ) 
)

How can I arrange/split this array into groups based on the first letter of [name]?

i.e. There are about 1,000 items in this array, which I have already ordered alphabetically by [name], however I want to be able to have groups that begin with 'A', 'B', etc.

Like this, for 'A' and 'S':

Array (

       [0] => stdClass Object (
                [name] => AnotherObject
                [image] => SecondImage.jpg
       ) 

       [1] => stdClass Object (
                [name] => AndAnother
                [image] => notImportant.jpg
       )
)

Array (

       [0] => stdClass Object (
                [name] => StackOverflow
                [image] => CanHelp.jpg
       )
)

deceze · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-07 13:23:52Z

4

$split = array();
foreach ($array as $item) {
    $split[$item->name[0]][] = $item;
}

answered Sep 7, 2011 at 13:23

deceze♦

525k89 gold badges807 silver badges954 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

4 Comments

sgb Over a year ago

almost perfect! thanks! one more thing - is it possible to group non-alphabetic chars into one array? e.g. [0]? including numbers and other chars.

deceze Over a year ago

@samb Sure. The logic is simple enough to extend. :P

roselan Over a year ago

foreach ($array as $item) {     if ( preg_match('/[a-z]/', $item->name[0]) ) $split[$item->name[0]][] = $item;     else $split['other'][] = $item; }

sgb Over a year ago

@roselan cheers - make it '/[A-Za-z]/' and it's what I wanted!

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

What is an efficient way to split a multidimensional array into a set of arrays based on a value?

1 Answer 1

4 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

4 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related