'while' statement: how to tell it's on its last iteration?

[sherry]

Hello.

1) Is there a way to know within the 'while' statement's when it's on it's last iteration? The 'while' test is based on a var = 'mysql_fetch_array()'. I want to know when it's in it's final 'true' state (on last iteration) just before it turns 'false'.

The existing script that contains the 'while' is being called from a custom function I've created via an 'include()'. I only want to run that included script to a certain point, grab the data, then get back to the calling function before that included script goes to the lines following that 'while' which prints the results found. The way the included script is coded, I can break into the 'while' without file editing.

At the end of its last iteration, I want to add a statement to break out of the 'while' before reaching the '}' and return back to the calling function. I'm guessing I need to tell the script to stop first (?) vs. leaving it hanging by adding an abrupt 'return' statement (?).

2) How to formally 'stop' the 'while' just prior to it's thinking it's done (after the last statement of the last iteration), and 'return' to the calling function?

Thanks in advance.

[bastien]

you could grab the total rows returned with mysql_num_rows() and then implement a counter in the while loop...then simply break at the second last result

[Weedpacket]

Then again, if you're going to have a counter in the while loop, you might as well use a for loop.

[sherry]

Thanks folks for your replies.

How can I incorporate a 'return' statement with a 'break' statement?

I thought as soon as the 'break' was encountered, the next place the script goes is to the statement following the while, therefore not giving an opportunity to execute a 'return' statement located within the 'while' after the 'break'. Is this correct? Is there a way to accomplish my objective here?

Thanks again in advance.

[bradgrafelman]

If you return something, you are in essence using break as well... I don't see why you'd need it:

$max = 5;
for($i = 0; $i < 5; $i++) {
    echo 'Still going...';

if($i + 1 = $max) {
    echo 'Oh no, this is the last time!';
    return 'done';
}
}

Then again, if you want to return something after the last iteration of the loop is complete, why not just do it outside of the loop?

function testThis() {
$max = 5;
	for($i = 0; $i < 5; $i++) {
		echo 'Still going...';
	}
	return 'done';
}

$test = testThis();
echo $test; // prints 'done'

If this isn't what you mean.... you'll have to clarify your question.

[sherry]

Thanks for your reply.

UPDATE:

The 'while' statement in the existing script contains an eval(). The error basically states that eval() cannot contain either a 'break' or 'continue' anywhere in the code associated with the eval(). Trying to use a 'return' statement to immediately leave the 'while' statement and return back to the calling function is not sufficient since the statements still proceed to the end of the while and the next statement following and therefore is not an immediate exit out of the 'while' loop.

The only solution that worked was to copy the portion I needed from the script to a different (new) file, then call that file as the 'included' file with additional modifications instead. If there is a way to break out of loop via code that would be contained within an 'eval()', please let me know.

Thanks in advance.