Accessing variables dynamically

[smify]

I have a series of arrays in the following format:

$data_1[element][id]
$data_2[element][id]
$data_3[element][id]
...

I need to process each of these arrays using a 'for' loop increasing the number on the end of the array name (ie: $data_x) each time.

My problem is defining the name of the variable where part of the name is a variable itself. eg: $data_{$i}[element][id]

I suspect this is simple but i haven't managed to find any documentation on this that helps.

suggestions welcome!

[ednark]

well why not just make one array... stick all the arrays you have now it the big one ... then just step through it normal

or do this

<?php

$data_1 = "I AM DATA_1";
$data_2 = "I AM DATA_2";

$i = 1;
$array_name = "data_{$i}";
echo $$array_name ."<br>";

$i = 2;
$array_name = "data_{$i}";
echo $$array_name ."<br>";


$i = 1;
echo ${"data_{$i}"} ."<br>";

$i = 2;
echo ${"data_{$i}"} ."<br>";

?>