how to expand an array elements as separate parameters to a function

Question

I have an array of colors having dynamic values which depends on database. now these values are required in a function which takes values only like this function('para1','para2','para3','para4') where param1 to param4 are color values in an array. Problem is how can i parse these values to that function in the above stated format.Only a programminng logic required.Language is php.

Suppose dynamic array is color[]=('red','maroon','blue','green'); and these value should be passed to this function like :setLineColor('red','maroon','blue','green');

I m using this function for creating graphs.(Lib using PHP_graphlib: link: http://www.ebrueggeman.com/phpgraphlib/documentation.php) Any other suggested library is welcomed.Plz provide a simple example with it.

score 37 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 14 '16 at 19:05

37

Since PHP 5.6 you can use argument unpacking with the triple-dot-operator:

setLineColor(...$colors);

answered Aug 14 '16 at 19:05

Fabian Schmengler

24,155
9
79
111

2

Very nice, much easier on the eyes as `call_user_func_array` and also practical, if you want to combine "fixed" args with arrays like `fprintf(STDOUT, $format,...$args)` – DBX12 Aug 10 '18 at 18:09

score 22 · Accepted Answer · edited Sep 10 '15 at 19:36

22

You can use the function call_user_func_array.

<?php
$colors = array('red','maroon','blue','green');
call_user_func_array('setLineColor', $colors);
?>

If you want to call the method of an object, you can use this instead:

<?php
$graph = new ...
$colors = array('red','maroon','blue','green');
call_user_func_array(array($graph, 'setLineColor'), $colors);
?>

edited Sep 10 '15 at 19:36

Hannele

9,301
6
48
68

answered Feb 17 '11 at 09:18

Enrico Stahn

2,967
1
23
23

yes enrico...thanks for that fruity response..sorry,i didnt mentioned that it is a method of some library. – Aakash Sahai Feb 17 '11 at 10:52

score -5 · Answer 3 · edited Dec 15 '11 at 01:32

-5

function($color[0], $color[1], $color[2], $color[3])

edited Dec 15 '11 at 01:32

animuson

53,861
28
137
147

answered Feb 17 '11 at 09:18

Adam Hopkinson

28,281
7
65
99

Worst answer....I think u didnt read thats color values are not fixed..they vary depending on database values... – Aakash Sahai Feb 17 '11 at 10:50
I know they're not fixed - that's why I'm referencing the array, which contains the dynamic values. – Adam Hopkinson Feb 17 '11 at 12:10
This answer doesn't work if you don't know the number of values in advance. It's also a bad solution if the array has, say, 500 values. – Andrew Schulman Aug 19 '13 at 13:17
Thanks Andrew, but that wasn't a part of the original question – Adam Hopkinson Aug 19 '13 at 17:29
I agree with adam. In the question, the number of arguments IS known. So this is the best answer. No need to call "call_user_func_array" in such a case. – Byscripts Nov 19 '13 at 16:16

how to expand an array elements as separate parameters to a function

3 Answers3

Linked