How to make multiple values into one value, but not all the time

Nico

Subject is a bit misleading but I couldn't really find a good way to write it.

I have a form that has 3 fields for parts from a select box. All three fields will not always be filled. I then combine the fields and enter them into a mysql table. This is my combine string:

$parts = ("$part1; $part2; $part3");

The problem I'm having is when only 1 or 2 fields are filled, the seperators ( ; ) from my combine string appear in the database field obviously. If only 1 field is filled I don't want the data put into the table with superfluous characters. Right now If I queried on a record with 1 entry it would look like:

"Part1;;;"

How can I make a value combine make the distinction of blank fields and whether or not it needs to combine the part2 and part3? i.e. if only $part1 is filled, it only makes $parts = ("$part1). if $part1 and $part2 are filled, it makes $parts = ("$part1; $part2)?

Thanx much for the help!

Nico

birwin

Try:

$parts=$part1."|".$part2."|".$part3;

Then when you need the data

$x=explode("|",$parts)

This creates an array. If a position is blank the array with that key will have no value.

<?
$part1="foo";
$part2="";
$part3="bar";

$parts=$part1."|".$part2."|".$part3;

$x=explode("|",$parts);

echo"$x[0]<br> $x[1]<br>$x[2]";

This prints

foo

bar

Nico

Almost what I was looking for but not quite. I played around with that and couldn't get what I needed from it unfortunately.

I combine to $parts, and I need seperators between the parts. i.e. a ";" or something because when I need the info from the database, it is in a horizontal format and I need to be able to easily distinguish between 3 parts if they are needed. That is why I have the ";" in the original code.

However I don't want the ; to be placed in the database UNLESS there is a $part2 and/or a $part3. If there isn't a $part2 or $part3 it currently puts the value "$part1;;" into the database and makes it look really messy when you query the $parts field. If there is a $part2 entered into the form, I want it to be written to the database like "$part1; $part2; $part3". If there isn't a $part2 or $part3, I want the value entered into the database to simply be "$part1"-- no ";"s

Sorry bout the confusion-- didn't explain it thoroughly.

Nico

DoD

$parts = $part1;

if ($part2) $parts .= "; $part2";
if ($part3) $parts .= "; $part3";

echo $parts;

if you want it so if you have no part 2 but a part 3 to give part1; ; part3...

if (!$part2 && $part3) $parts .="; ; $part3";

or if you want it so there should be a part 2 to have a part 3:

add { after ($part2) and } before echo $parts

so part1; ; part3 will just be part1

HalfaBee

You will have to check for each value being set or you could use a cpreg_replace() to remove the extra ;'s.

HalfaBee


$s = '';
if( $part1 )
 $s .= $part1;
if( $part2 )
 if( $s )
    $s .= ";$part2";
  else
     $s=$part2;
if( $part3 )
 if( $s )
    $s .= ";$part3";
  else
     $s=$part3;

Nico

Outstanding, thanx guys. DoD I used yer code there-- halfabee, I have a situation where I'll use your code as well. Thanx for the info!

Nico