[RESOLVED] Switch Function Vs Multidimensional Array

petermcphee

Just wondering what method is faster/better for something I am working on.

I have a drop down form with 10 options. Each option will set two variables in my php script. So, I figure that there are two ways to solve this: a switch function and a multidimensional array.

Switch Example:

switch ($formvalue) {
case 'option1':
$var1 = 1;
$var2 = 'blue';
break;

case 'option2':
$var1 = -1;
$var2 = 'red';
break;
}

Array Example:

$formvalue = array(
'option1' => array($var1 = 1,$var2 = 'blue'),
'option2' => array($var1 = -1,$var2 = 'red')
);

Could someone please tell what is the best method to use for this?

HalfaBee

I like the array solution.
You had an error, which is only minor.

 $formvalue = array(
'option1' => array( 1,'blue'),
'option2' => array(-1,'red')
);
list( $var1 , $var2 ) = $formvalue( $_POST['formvalue'] );

petermcphee

Ah, yes, thanks. That looks better, although the first way did work when I echoed for the array contents i.e.

echo $value[$_GET['formvalue']][1];

But it's much cleaner the way you've shown.

But are arrays generally faster than using switches?

petermcphee

Actually, I just realised that my data will now have to have an additional layer, which will make it much easier to code and follow if I use an array like:

$optionvalue = array(
'option1' => array(array(1,'c','d')),
'option2' => array(array(-1,'c','d')),
....
'option20' =>array(array(1,'v','x')));

This fits nicely into 20 lines of code now. If I used a switch it would have been huge.

Thanks.