same problem: separating quoted phrases

[Anon]

I need to parse a string that could be any combination of words and phrases

if the input is
run run stop "sit down" "stand up" run sit stand

I need to parse this into an array:

array[1] = run;
array[2] = run;
array[3] = stop;
array[4] = sit down;
array[5] = stand up;
array[6] = run;
array[7] = sit;
array[8] = stand;

Of course the input can be any words or phrases in any order. The only restriction is that anything with in quotes is taken as a phrase anything not in quotes is taken as a word and split on the white space. I've taken the suggestions
to use explode("\"",$input) and to use preg_match_all(), but i haven't been able to get it right. Any help would be appreciated.
B

[cordex]

sigh You just couldn't pick an easy one, could you?

I wrote a script that will do this for you (and you'll come back and say you don't need it anymore, right?) but it's not pretty or efficient. Hey, you can't argue with results, right?

$input = "run run stop \"sit down\" \"stand up\" run sit stand";
while($i < strlen($input)){
$strleft_st=substr($input,$i+1);
if(($input[$i]=="\""&&$i!=$ps_in)||($i==0&&$input[0]=="\"")){
$val_ar[]=substr($input,$i,2+strpos($strleft_st,"\""));
$ps_in=$i+1+strpos(substr($input,$i+1),"\"");
}
elseif(($input[$i]==" "&&$ps_in<$i &&!strstr(substr($input,$i,1+strpos($strleft_st," ")),"\""))||($i == 0&&$input[0]!= "\"")){
if(strpos($strleft_st," "))$val_ar[]=substr($input,$i,1+strpos($strleft_st," "));
else $val_ar[]=substr($input,$i);
}
$i++;
}

One reason it is so messy is that I had to add extra checks for the first and last characters. It's no one line solution but I hope it helps.

[Anon]

thanks ben,
I still need it and in fact dreamed about all night. This is the coolest thing anyone has done for me on my birthday so far.
Thanks again
B

[cordex]

Happy Birthday.