Pattern Match on a Array Key

I need to get the stock values out of this array:

Array ( 
[stock0] => 1
[stockdate0] => 
[stock1] => 3 
[stockdate1] => apple 
[stock2] => 2 [
stockdate2] => 
) 

I need to pattern match on this array, where the array key = “stock” + 1 wildcard character. I have tried using the array filter function to get every other value on the PHP manual but the empty values seem to throw it out. I tried alot of different things I found but nothing is working.

Can this be done?

Answer

array_filter does not have access to the key and therefore is not the right tool for your job.

I belive what you’re looking to do is this:

$stocks = Array ( 
"stock0" => 1,
"stockdate0" => '',
"stock1" => 3, 
"stockdate1" => 'apple',
"stock2" => 2,
"stockdate2" => ''
);


$stockList = array();  //Your list of "stocks" indexed by the number found at the end of "stock"

foreach ($stocks as $stockKey => $stock)
{
  sscanf($stockKey,"stock%d", &stockId);  // scan into a formatted string and return values passed by reference
  if ($stockId !== false)
     $stockList[$stockId] = $stock;
}

Now $stockList looks like this:

Array ( 
[0] => 1
[1] => 3 
[2] => 2 
)

You may need to fuss with it a bit, but I think this is what you are asking for.

HOWEVER, you really should be following Jeff Ober’s advice if you have the option to do so.