Assign variable name as variable

unreal128

I want to be able to create a foreach loop that will go through all the intended POST variables and then assign it as a standard variable. For example, I want to have $username = $_POST['username'] without even knowing username exists in the context of the foreach loop.

$form_elements = array("username","firstname","lastname","email","country","zipcode","gender","dob_y","dob_m","dob_d","password1","password2");	

foreach ($form_elements as $element) {
    	if ( !(isset($_POST[$element])) || (empty($_POST[$element])) ) {
        	$error_msg = "All fields must be filled in.";
		return false;
	} else {
		$($element} = mysql_escape_string($_POST[$element]); // is this how I do it
	}
}

This will help in sanitizing the data and seperating it from the initially submitted POST variables. Any insight would be very appreciated.

drew010

$$element = mysql_escape_string($_POST[$element]);

that will create a variable name of whatever $element contains.

unreal128

I tried that but it doesn't seem to recognize $username variable for example when I test the variable outside the foreach loop.

drew010

i just noticed the return statement, so you are doing that inside a function call? if thats the case then the variables will be local, and once the function returns they will not exist...

unreal128

It is contained within a function but the variables are being referenced in the function, so the scoping seems to be okay. I can reference the variable via $$varname but not as $username or $zipcode for example.

madwormer2

$form_elements = array("username","firstname","lastname","email","country","zipcode","gender","dob_y","dob_m","dob_d","password1","password2");    

foreach ($form_elements as $element => $value) {
        if ( !(isset($_POST[$element])) || (empty($_POST[$element])) ) {
            $error_msg = "All fields must be filled in.";
        return false;
    } else {
        $($element} = mysql_escape_string($_POST[$element]); // is this how I do it
    }
}