finding unique values in an array...

EricC

I need help in finding "unique" values in an array without using array_unique.

The array in question is built off a dynamic query and typically has anywhere from 10-400 elements. The elements look something like this:

'1' => 'IN,M,148,1,NDC-NATIONAL DATA CORP,,,48,,,1'
'2' => 'IN,M,93,1,PCS,,,99,,,1'
'3' => 'IN,M,100,1,ALTARX,,,34,,,1'
'4' => 'IN,M,148,1,NDC- NATIONAL DATA CORP,,,48,,,1'

The problem I'm finding is the space in key #4. Even though key #1 and key#4 are the same, the space is enough for array_unique to leave key #4 as an unique key (rightly so since it is unique).

Since I don't have a method of controlling what is typed into that particular field, I'd like to be able to create an array built off the number immediately after the IN,M, sequence.

Any tips, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 🙂

OhLordy

for($i=0;$i<count($array);$i++) {
for($a=0;$a<count($array);$a++) {
if($array[$i]==$array[$a]) {
echo("array element $i is the same as $a");
}
}
}

Probably not the best way of doing it but I think it does the job
Good Luck
Rob

laserlight

Here's a screwed up but possibly workable solution:

$reference = array();
foreach ($array as $key => $value) {
	$temp = explode(',', $value);
	//take the 3rd element and place it into $reference
	$reference[$key] = $temp[2];
}
//now find unique values in $reference
$reference = array_unique($reference);
//now we substitute the result back to the original $array
$temp = array();
foreach ($reference as $key => $value) {
	//crude method :(
	$temp[$key] = $array[$key];
}
$array = $temp;

My idea is basically:
1. Get the 3rd element in each member of the original array and insert it into a reference array
2. Use array_unique() on this reference array
3. Use the keys of this reference array to populate a temporary array with the values from the original array where the keys of the reference array and the original array match.
4. Replace the original array with this temporary array.

toma42

Ok, you have really ugly data so that's the base of your problem. You won't be able to create a perfect solution but this may help:

foreach ($start_array as $v) {
  $new_array[str_replace(' ', '', $v)] = $v;
}

This will create a new array with the stripped space value as they key. For #1 and #4 in your example, #4 will overwrite #1 because they will have the same key.

EricC

Thanks for all the replies everyone has provided.

Yes the data is really in bad shape; kind of the price I get to pay for working with legacy systems and trying to extract usable data from them.

I'm going to try all the suggestions and see which one does the trick for me. Thanks again! 🙂