Converting a nested array into a series of separate arrays

Kirby 2 Solved ✅
1

Hello,

I’m currently working with a series of multi-dimensional arrays, and have run into a case in which I need to convert these into a series of single-dimensional arrays. For example, given the following:

Array (
    [0] => cardiff
    [1] => ely-cardiff
    [2] => st-fagans
    [3] => peterston
    [4] => llantrissant
    [5] => pencoed
    [6] => Array (
            [0] => bridgend
            [1] => Array (
                    [0] => tondu
                    [1] => cefn-cribwr
                    [2] => pyle
                    [3] => porthcawl
                )
            [2] => llangonoyd
            [3] => maesteg
        )
    [7] => pyle
    [8] => port-talbot
    [9] => briton-ferry
)

I would like to break this apart and create a series of separate arrays, e.g.

// Array 1
Array (
    [0] => cardiff
    [1] => ely-cardiff
    [2] => st-fagans
    [3] => peterston
    [4] => llantrissant
    [5] => pencoed
    [6] => bridgend
    [7] => pyle
    [8] => port-talbot
    [9] => briton-ferry
)

// Array 2
Array (
    [0] => bridgend
    [1] => tondu
    [2] => llangonoyd
    [3] => maesteg
)

// Array 3
Array (
    [0] => tondu
    [1] => cefn-cribwr
    [2] => pyle
    [3] => porthcawl
)

Note, that the first value in each new array, is the first value in the nested array. The original array could potentially have several levels of nesting, so I need some sort of recursive function. This is probably covering basic programming concepts, but couldn’t find an answer elsewhere, so thought I would ask in this friendly forum :slight_smile:

Much help appreciated!

Paul

2

I think you can use extract so they get treated as an array in their own right. See here. Might be worth asking the question on StackOverflow.

3

Extract() needs an associative array. I’d ask that question on Stackoverflow, as @jimbobrjames already suggested.

You probably need an array of arrays as a result, so that you can work with it afterwards.

4

This should do the trick. I guess you could also do some magic with array_walk or similar but this one is probably more readable :slight_smile:

function array_flatten(array $array) {
  $chunks = [];

  foreach ($array as $key => $value) {
    if (is_array($value)) {
      $chunks = array_merge($chunks, array_flatten($value));
    } else {
      $chunks[0][$key] = $value;
    }
  }

  return $chunks;
}
3 Likes
5

Nice solution @lukaskleinschmidt! It just need one small change to achieve @paulrobertlloyd’s goal:

function array_flatten(array $array) {
    $chunks = [];

    foreach ($array as $key => $value) {
        if (is_array($value)) {
+           $chunks[0][$key] = $value[0];
            $chunks = array_merge($chunks, array_flatten($value));
        } else {
            $chunks[0][$key] = $value;
        }
    }

    return $chunks;
}
3 Likes
6

Perfect guys! (and some more)

7

This worked perfectly. Thank-you @lukaskleinschmidt, @pedroborges, and everyone else. I love this community! :slight_smile:

Paul