How to reference this variable (nested objects/arrays)?

Question

I'm learning PHP and Drupal. I need to reference a variable contained in an array called $contexts.

So print_r($contexts) gives me this:

Array ( 
   [context_view_1] => ctools_context Object ( 
       [type] => view 
       [view] => view Object ( 
          [db_table] => views_view 
          [result] => Array ( 
              [0] => stdClass Object ( 
                   [nid] => 28 
                   [node_data_field_display_field_display_value] => slideshow
              ) 
           )

eek confusing. I want to work with the node_data_field_display_field_display_value variable. I think my code needs to be like this, but I know this isn't right:

if ($contexts['context_view_1']['view']['result'][0]
['node_data_field_display_field_display_value'] == 'slideshow') then do whatever...

Thanks!

Answer 1

You suggested the following array reference to get to the variable you want:

 $contexts['context_view_1']['view']['result'][0]['node_data_field_display_field_display_value']

The reason this doesn't work is because some of the structures in the chain are actually objects rather than arrays, so you need a different syntax for them to get at their properties.

So the first layer is correct, because $contexts is an array, so context_view_1 is an array element, so you'd get to it with $contexts['context_view_1'] as you did.

But the next level is an object, so to get to view, you need to reference it as an object property with -> syntax, like so: $contexts['context_view_1']->view

For each level down the tree, you need to determine whether it's an object or an array element, and use the correct syntax.

In this case, you'll end up with something that looks like this:

$context['context_view_1']->view->result[0]->node_data_field_display_field_display_value