Array difference if there are duplicates

Question

I have the following text, which i need it to be changing dynamically depending on a pattern replacement: (Sorry poor text)

I will be at the library (%tomorrow%), to (%borrow%) my favorite (%book%), then i will go to a ticket booking agency to (%book%) a ticket to wherever.

So i will parse it the following code:

preg_match_all('/\(%(.*?)%\)/i', $content, $matches);

if(empty($matches)) return [];

$placeholders = $matches[0];

$matchings    = $matches[1];

$temp =[];

foreach ($matchings as $matching) {
    $temp[] = [$matching];
}

$matchings = $temp;

$matches = [$placeholders, $matchings];


return $matches;

Which will generate the following:

array (
  0 => 
  array (
    0 => '(%tomorrow%)',
    1 => '(%borrow%)',
    2 => '(%book%)',
    3 => '(%book%)',
  ),
  1 => 
  array (
    0 => 
    array (
      0 => 'tomorrow',
    ),
    1 => 
    array (
      0 => 'borrow',
    ),
    2 => 
    array (
      0 => 'book',
    ),
    3 => 
    array (
      0 => 'book',
    ),
  ),
)

As you notice, two arrays, one for patterns, and the other for alternatives, and i have two book words, each one has it's different meaning.

Then i store this result in DB, which i can extend alternatives, with other code. So when i update the alternatives, i have the following:

    array (
  0 => 
  array (
    0 => '(%tomorrow%)',
    1 => '(%borrow%)',
    2 => '(%book%)',
    3 => '(%book%)',
  ),
  1 => 
  array (
    0 => 
    array (
      0 => 'tomorrow',
      1 => 'the next day',
    ),
    1 => 
    array (
      0 => 'borrow',
      1 => 'get',
    ),
    2 => 
    array (
      0 => 'book',
      1 => 'novel',
    ),
    3 => 
    array (
      0 => 'book',
      1 => 'buy',
    ),
  ),
)

Now i have alternatives, so i start the replacement, by searching the text (say: for (%tomorrow%)) if exists, i will get it's index from the first array and then get the array of alternatives form the second array by (%tomorrow%)'s index, then pick one randomly.

Say i latter needed to edit the text (e.g. a post) and converted the first (%book%) to be normal without using the pattern (will be a fixed text), so i need the second (%book%) to keep it's connection to the correct alternative's. (The verbs not the nouns)

you can compare the array keys using [array_diff_key](https://www.php.net/manual/en/function.array-diff-key.php) — Atmahadli, May 26 '20 at 00:40
...and @Robo you answered before a complete question was formed. This isn't a race. Let's make good questions and good answers. — mickmackusa, May 26 '20 at 00:42
@mickmackusa i just use the normal `preg_match_all`. please refer to edits — Mohamed Omar, May 26 '20 at 00:49
reindex means that you are creating new array. @mickmackusa is right, we need the details how you did it. if you are using [array_unique](https://www.php.net/manual/en/function.array-unique.php) you still have the keys — Atmahadli, May 26 '20 at 01:00
@Atmahadli I am not re-indexing, i just parse the text after edits and get the new matches, so i need to check what is delete after the second parse — Mohamed Omar, May 26 '20 at 01:06
Is this an XY-problem? _Why_ do you need to know the original position of deleted elements? — mickmackusa, May 26 '20 at 01:07
@Moh I think your problem is in the reindexed array, if you did not do it, then you should find it. — Atmahadli, May 26 '20 at 01:29
@mickmackusa I have tried to explain what i want to accomplish, is it enough? — Mohamed Omar, May 26 '20 at 02:06
Well, I must say, it looks like you have made a problem for yourself by not using unique identifiers in you "madlibs" document. Why not simplify everything and use numerated keywords: `book1` and `book2` or maybe `bookV` and `bookN`? This way, much of the hassle is removed. — mickmackusa, May 26 '20 at 02:13
Look at how simple this can be: https://3v4l.org/O1FlY ...https://stackoverflow.com/q/15773349/2943403 — mickmackusa, May 26 '20 at 02:33

Array difference if there are duplicates

0 Answers0