[RESOLVED] Help with nested array

[ukphp]

Hi,

I've converted an XML feed into a PHP array which I can work with. Below is the output of a variable called $location if I do a print_r($location); on it. Trouble I having is I'm trying to sort the data so for example I can list each of array group ordered by for example it's location alphabetically, or its 'free' number. Any ideas how? Been trying running it through a foreach loop but am getting errors.

Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [@attributes] => Array
                (
                    [free] => 84
                    [location] => London
                    [rid] => 26
                    [seats] => 91
                )

    )

[1] => Array
    (
        [@attributes] => Array
            (
                [free] => 54
                [location] => Manchester
                [rid] => 3
                [seats] => 116
            )

    )

[2] => Array
    (
        [@attributes] => Array
            (
                [free] => 54
                [location] => York
                [rid] => 31
                [seats] => 70
            )

    )

[3] => Array
    (
        [@attributes] => Array
            (
                [free] => 49
                [location] => Edinburgh
                [rid] => 22
                [seats] => 54
            )

    )
)

[johanafm]

I'd just create one new properly sorted array containing [sortkey] => reference_to_existing_array_element.

$free = $location = [];
foreach ($all as $k => &$arr) {
    $free[$arr['@attributes']['free']][] = $arr;
    $location[$arr['@attributes']['location']][] = $arr;
}

# Sort on keys
ksort($free);
ksort($location);

Where "free" wouldd have 3 top level elements (49, 54 (two entries) and 84) while location would contain 4 top level elements (Edinburg, London, Manchester, York).

Sorting on both keys at the same time would still require row-to-column transformations which can then be passed to array_multisort. See example 3 of [man]array_multisort[/man]

[bradgrafelman]

You could also use something like [man]usort[/man] to sort the array in place.

[ukphp]

Thanks both. Used a combo of both your suggestion and worked a treat!