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phpvariable-variables

can array values be accessed by variable variables?

I have an array which I can only access correctly via variable variables, like so:

$foo['bar'] = "pie";

$fixed_name_variable = "foo['bar']";

echo $$fixed_name_variable;

Which in theroy echo's pie. Except it's just not returning anything. So I need to know if this approach is actually workable or if I need a rethink on it.

Just noticed. On the second line, should the bar be in quotes?

Solution

  • Although I hate to encourage this behaviour, you can use eval to achieve what you to a limited extent.

    $foo['bar'] = "pie";
$fixed_name_variable = "foo['bar']";

$a = eval("return $$fixed_name_variable;"); 
echo $a; //outputs "pie"