Coding possible array combinations

[dbykel]

array 1 (a, b)
array 2 (c, d, e)
array 3 (f, g)

How can I code to output only the following 12 possibilities?

acf
acg
bcf
bcg
adf
adg
bdf
bdg
aef
aeg
bef
beg

Thanks

[bradgrafelman]

One simple way would be to use nested [man]for/man loops (three, in this case).

[dbykel]

Yes, but how inside the loop do I select the variables to display as I want?

[bradgrafelman]

Using the loop counters. The three for() loops would simply be counters that go from 0 to the size of the respective arrays minus one. You'd then use that counter as the index into its corresponding array.

[dbykel]

Can you show me based on a simpler example:

array 1 (a,b)
array 2 (c,d)

to output:

ac
ad
bc
bd

Thanks

[bradgrafelman]

Where's the fun in having someone else do it for you? 🙂 Try writing the code yourself and post what you come up with; if it doesn't work, I'd be glad to show you what you missed.

For your simpler example, you'll only have two [man]for/man loops (one nested inside the other) - both of which go from 0 to 1 (which is the size of the same-sized arrays minus one). Inside the inner-most for() loop is where you'll do the outputting, namely using the loop counters from both loops to access the appropriate array elements.

[dbykel]

Ok, this is what I came up with. Is this the way you would do it?

$var1=array("a","b");
$var2=array("c","d","e");
$var3=array("f","g");
$var4=array("h","i","j","k");

$a=1;

for($w=0; $w<2; $w++){
	for($x=0; $x<3; $x++){
		for($y=0; $y<2; $y++){
			for($z=0; $z<4; $z++){
				echo"$a) $var1[$w]$var2[$x]$var3[$y]$var4[$z]<br>";
				$a++;
}
}
}
}

[bradgrafelman]

Seems about right. Bonus points will be given for wrapping the arrays of letters inside with an encompassing array and creating a function that can handle a variable number of such arrays. 😉