Assuming $path is already an array via explode (or add to the function), then you can use references. You need to add in some error checking in case of invalid $path etc. (think isset):
$key = 'b.x.z';
$path = explode('.', $key);
Getter
function get($path, $array) {
//$path = explode('.', $path); //if needed
$temp =& $array;
foreach($path as $key) {
$temp =& $temp[$key];
}
return $temp;
}
$value = get($path, $arr); //returns NULL if the path doesn't exist
Setter / Creator
This combination will set a value in an existing array or create the array if you pass one that has not yet been defined. Make sure to define $array to be passed by reference &$array:
function set($path, &$array=array(), $value=null) {
//$path = explode('.', $path); //if needed
$temp =& $array;
foreach($path as $key) {
$temp =& $temp[$key];
}
$temp = $value;
}
set($path, $arr);
//or
set($path, $arr, 'some value');
Unsetter
This will unset the final key in the path:
function unsetter($path, &$array) {
//$path = explode('.', $path); //if needed
$temp =& $array;
foreach($path as $key) {
if(!is_array($temp[$key])) {
unset($temp[$key]);
} else {
$temp =& $temp[$key];
}
}
}
unsetter($path, $arr);
*The original answer had some limited functions that I will leave in case they are of use to someone:
Setter
Make sure to define $array to be passed by reference &$array:
function set(&$array, $path, $value) {
//$path = explode('.', $path); //if needed
$temp =& $array;
foreach($path as $key) {
$temp =& $temp[$key];
}
$temp = $value;
}
set($arr, $path, 'some value');
Or if you want to return the updated array (because I'm bored):
function set($array, $path, $value) {
//$path = explode('.', $path); //if needed
$temp =& $array;
foreach($path as $key) {
$temp =& $temp[$key];
}
$temp = $value;
return $array;
}
$arr = set($arr, $path, 'some value');
Creator
If you wan't to create the array and optionally set the value:
function create($path, $value=null) {
//$path = explode('.', $path); //if needed
foreach(array_reverse($path) as $key) {
$value = array($key => $value);
}
return $value;
}
$arr = create($path);
//or
$arr = create($path, 'some value');
For Fun
Constructs and evaluates something like $array['b']['x']['z'] given a string b.x.z:
function get($array, $path) {
//$path = explode('.', $path); //if needed
$path = "['" . implode("']['", $path) . "']";
eval("\$result = \$array{$path};");
return $result;
}
Sets something like $array['b']['x']['z'] = 'some value';:
function set(&$array, $path, $value) {
//$path = explode('.', $path); //if needed
$path = "['" . implode("']['", $path) . "']";
eval("\$array{$path} = $value;");
}
Unsets something like $array['b']['x']['z']:
function unsetter(&$array, $path) {
//$path = explode('.', $path); //if needed
$path = "['" . implode("']['", $path) . "']";
eval("unset(\$array{$path});");
}
