Using txt files and PHP

[iantimmy123]

I'm currently making a quiz to help my knowledge of PHP and want to use a textfile to store the results rather than a DB. I have seen tutorials online but they are really basic or very advanced so i've got to a stage where i'm stuck.

I know how to create, open, read and write to a file (whole lines only) but am looking for a bit more.

I have seen several elements can be stored on 1 line such as

1155750271|iantimmy123|result1|result2|total

but don't know how to manipulate this data. How can i write an extra piece of info on this end of this line and how can i extract them using PHP to use a particular one.

Any help appreciated. Thanks

[devinemke]

[man]file[/man] will spool the contents of a text file into an [man]array[/man]. then use [man]explode[/man] to break down each line into the separate fields.

[iantimmy123]

ok thanks

say i've got a line
1155750271|iantimmy123|result1

how through PHP could I add result 2 on the end?

[mjax]

You have to rewrite the complete file.

• So first read the file and store it (exploded) in an array.
• Manipulate array items (= database rows), e.g. adding a result
• Rewrite the complete file

I think you should consider using a DB for these kind of operations. Reading/writing complete files can eventually lead to deadlock, corrupt files, empty files, etc.