Echo element from array with dynamic value

Question

{  
"something":"not important;",
"something2":"less important",
"something3":"inexistent",
"something4":"nothing",
"something5":{  
        "1232":{  // this value is dynamic
        "NeedToEchoThis":1230,
        "NeedToEchoThis2":"12343",
        "NeedToEchoThis3":22222,
  }
},
  "something6":"else",
"something7":"0"
}

When using json_decode, I get that array. But... how to echo the values within "something5" since it has a dynamic value right next to it? I tried using

$var1 = $obj->something5[0]->NeedToEchoThis;

But... still doesn't work. Any ideas?

`$var1 = $obj->something5[0]->1232->NeedToEchoThis` And echo will throw an error because inside is still an array. So use `print_r()` — aldrin27, Mar 28 '16 at 02:36
Well besides that your json isn't fully valid, you want to look at `array_search()`. — Rizier123, Mar 28 '16 at 02:37
@aldrin27 that's a dynamic value and it changes everytime... — Random Guy, Mar 28 '16 at 02:37
Try this: $key = array_keys( $obj->something5[0] )[0]; $var1 = $obj->something5[0]->{$key}->NeedToEchoThis; — Evhz, Mar 28 '16 at 02:40
@Karlos thanks, but Fatal error: Cannot use object of type stdClass as array in... — Random Guy, Mar 28 '16 at 02:46
Ok, it is an object, cast it in an array: $key = array_keys( (array) $obj->something5[0] )[0]; $var1 = $obj->something5[0]->{$key}->NeedToEchoThis; — Evhz, Mar 28 '16 at 02:49
@Karlos using this code: http://stackoverflow.com/a/11577501/6122403 I managed to cast it but now I get this: Warning: array_keys() expects parameter 1 to be array, null given in... — Random Guy, Mar 28 '16 at 02:58
So, which key(s) are dynamic? Only "1232"? Or is "NeedToEchoThis" als dynamic/unknown? — VolkerK, Mar 28 '16 at 03:03
It means that case the array was empty, a good solution could be to check if the array is not empty. I post a solution. — Evhz, Mar 28 '16 at 03:06
@VolkerK left column static, right column dynamic. "1232" is dynamic as well. — Random Guy, Mar 28 '16 at 03:07
Sorry, I still don't get it. But maybe I'm just not meant to.... — VolkerK, Mar 28 '16 at 03:28

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 28 '16 at 03:07

0

You can e.g. iterate over the array something5 with a foreach loop.

<?php
$data = json_decode(data(), true);

foreach( $data['something5'] as $k=>$v) {
    if ( isset($v['NeedToEchoThis']) ) {
        echo $k, ' -> NeedToEchoThis => ', $v['NeedToEchoThis'], "\r\n";
    }
}



function data() {
    return <<< eoj
{
    "something": "not important;",
    "something2": "less important",
    "something3": "inexistent",
    "something4": "nothing",
    "something5": {
        "1232": {
            "NeedToEchoThis": "1230",
            "NeedToEchoThis2": "12343",
            "NeedToEchoThis3": "22222"
        }
    },
    "something6": "else",
    "something7": "0"
}
eoj;
}

prints

1232 -> NeedToEchoThis => 1230

answered Mar 28 '16 at 03:07

VolkerK

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Thank you, your solution works just fine but how to make to get the array from an url? – Random Guy Mar 28 '16 at 03:37
Again: Whaaat? Array from url? What...do...you...mean? Wild guess: you want to request the json "document" from a url? Like e.g. `$data = json_decode('http://foo.bar/getjson.php', true);`? – VolkerK Mar 28 '16 at 03:43
Yes, that's what I meant. – Random Guy Mar 28 '16 at 03:45

ryantxr · Answer 2 · 2016-03-28T03:25:33.940

It really depends on how you use json_decode.

When you json_decode($input) you get an object (not an array) that contains other objects.

$obj = json_decode($input);
echo $obj->something5->{'1232'}->NeedToEchoThis;

Or:

$obj = json_decode($input, true);
echo $obj['something5'][1232]['NeedToEchoThis'];

Here is a complete runnable example:

$input = <<<EEE
{  
"something":"not important;",
"something2":"less important",
"something3":"inexistent",
"something4":"nothing",
"something5":{  
    "1232":{  
        "NeedToEchoThis":1230,
        "NeedToEchoThis2":"12343",
        "NeedToEchoThis3":22222
    }
},
  "something6":"else",
  "something7":"0"
}
EEE;
echo $input . "\n";
$obj = json_decode($input);
var_dump($obj);

echo $obj->something5->{'1232'}->NeedToEchoThis;
echo "\n";

// If you don't know the key names:

$vars = get_object_vars ( $obj );
foreach($vars as $name => $value ) {
    if ( is_object($value) ) {
        echo "$name => "; print_r($value);
    } elseif( is_string($value) ){
        echo "$name => $value\n";        
    }
}

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 28 '16 at 03:09

As you mention dynamic value it's not really clear what you mean. The notation in your json example is not clear also.

In case the "1232" value changes, you could get the dynamic value of the element as follows:

if( !empty($obj->something5) ) { 
    $arr = (array) $obj->something5[0];
    if( is_array($arr) && !empty($arr) ) {
        $key = array_keys( $arr )[0];
        $var1 = $obj->something5[0]->{$key}->NeedToEchoThis;
    } else {
        $var1 = "nothing to show";
    }

} else { 
    $var1 = "nothing to show";
}

Echo element from array with dynamic value

3 Answers3