[RESOLVED] Assigning a string to a variable problem

Kurtismonger

I can't seem to figure out what the problem is here:

This works:

$chart['chart_data'] = array ( array ( "", "W10098940", "W10133981-50", "W10098960", "W10100388" ), array ( "TESTING ONLY", 83, 11, 3, 3 ), );

This doesn't:

$tableData = 'array ( array ( "", "W10098940", "W10133981-50", "W10098960", "W10100388" ), array ( "TESTING ONLY", 83, 11, 3, 3 ), );';
$chart['chart_data'] = $tableData;

Ignore the contents of what I am trying to assign to variable or the chart bit, I'm just wondering why these two statements don't do the exact same thing??

NogDog

Because all you are doing in the last instance is assigning a string to $chart['chart_data']. The string is just a string: it is not parsed as a PHP array definition expression. It's the same result you would get if you did:

$chart['chart_data'] = 'array ( array ( "", "W10098940", "W10133981-50", "W10098960", "W10100388" ), array ( "TESTING ONLY", 83, 11, 3, 3 ), );';

Kurtismonger

The question then is, is there any way to make it so it does get parsed? I tried using double quotes, but with the same result.

NogDog

Well, you could use eval():

eval ('$chart[\'chart_data\'] = ' . $tableData . ';');

But generally speaking, if you find yourself using eval(), there's a real good chance your code is needlessly complex and that there is probably a simpler and easier to maintain way to do whatever it is you are trying to accomplish.

Kurtismonger

Good point, thanks.