Sorting multi-dimensional arrays

[maparicio]

I'm trying to take a text file containing NBA player stats, calculate new variables from those stats, create a new multi-dimensional array from that, and then sort by statistical category and calculate still more variables based on their rank in each category. Make sense? 😉

(here is the file: http://www.hoopscitylive.com/v2.0/01-02NBA.txt)

So far, i have successfully read the file, and calculated their shooting percentages and $stat per 48 minutes. After each player's new variables are calculated, i feed them into an array like so:

$stats = array();

for ($i=0; $i<$player_count; $i++) {
  $line = explode("|",$file[$i]);
  $name = $line[0];
  $pts = $line[1];
  $reb = $line[2];
  $ast = $line[3];
#...etc.

  $stats[$name][pts] = "$pts";
  $stats[$name][reb] = "$reb";
  $stats[$name][ast] = "$ast";
#...etc.
}

First of all, is that correct?

Second, now I'm stuck. I need to figure out how to sort the array by each stat category to determine their overall rank in that category. Then I will use that ranking to calculate a new variable. Can anyone get me started in the right direction? Thanks!

Mike Aparicio

[Phantazm]

I always hate answering a question with a question, and I also don't like using the word "but"...

but...

Could you enter that information (or parse is) into a database then sort? It would be MUCHO EASIER! =D

[frigidman]

If a database is out of the question... try this out:

//make sorting functions:
function sortby_pts($item1, $item2) {
	if ($item1["pts"] == $item2["pts"]) return 0;
	return ($item1["pts"] < $item2["pts"]) ? -1 : 1;
}
function sortby_reb($item1, $item2) {
	if ($item1["reb"] == $item2["reb"]) return 0;
	return ($item1["reb"] < $item2["reb"]) ? -1 : 1;
}
function sortby_ast($item1, $item2) {
	if ($item1["ast"] == $item2["ast"]) return 0;
	return ($item1["ast"] < $item2["ast"]) ? -1 : 1;
}
//end sorter functions


//simplify your assignment:
forÊ($i=0;Ê$i<$player_count;Ê$i++)Ê{

$lineÊ=Êexplode("|",$file[$i]);
$stats[] = array(
	'name' => $line[0],
	'pts' => $line[1],
	'reb' => $line[2],
	'ast' => $line[3]
//...etc.
	);

}

usort($stats,'sortby_pts');

//then loop through $stats, 
//and it should be in order of pts greater to lesser