Assign Array Value to Variable in PHP

Question

I thought this was an easy task, but apparently not.

   $dom = new DOMDocument();
   $dom->loadHTMLFile("myhtml.html");
   $timestamp = $dom->getElementById('timestamp');
   $timestamp = $dom->saveHTML($timestamp);
   $matches_out = array();
   if (preg_match_all('/<div id="timestamp">(.*)<\/div>/', $timestamp, $matches_out)) {
  $timestamp = $matches_out[0];
  }
  echo $timestamp;

I need to get the value out of the array and store it in the $timestamp variable. When I use print_r() I get Array ( [0] =>1422936994). I thought that mean to get my timestamp I just do $matches_out[0] because I can see it right there on the zero index, or am I missing something.

Trying to echo it out gets me this: Notice: Array to string conversion in C:\xampp\htdocs\myscript.php on line 10

i dont really understand the question, but yes, $timestamps is now array, when you do echo, it will display the error — onegun
– onegun, Commented Feb 3, 2015 at 13:54
but I thought you could get a string from an array using the index number, see here: stackoverflow.com/a/16876209 — LSD
– LSD, Commented Feb 3, 2015 at 13:56
if you look at preg_match_all() documentation, then you will realize that $matches_out is Array of all matches in multi-dimensional array ordered according to flags. so please do not expect $matches_out[0] is string now — onegun
– onegun, Commented Feb 3, 2015 at 13:58
I don't understand why you even want to use preg_match_all. Why not use the DOMDocument object methods? For example the getElementsByTagName method. — Ron van der Heijden
– Ron van der Heijden, Commented Feb 3, 2015 at 14:07

qtuan · Accepted Answer · 2015-02-03 14:01:57Z

1

$matches_out is multi-dimensional array. So your correct code would be something like $matches_out[0][0]. Please inspect your array again to make sure you get the correct value.

See preg_match_all

answered Feb 3, 2015 at 14:01

qtuan

6874 silver badges10 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

LSD Over a year ago

How do I store this value in a variable not merely for echoing but for performing mathematical operations on?

qtuan Over a year ago

Please use $var_name = $matches_out[0][0];

Brejk · Accepted Answer · 2015-02-03 14:03:51Z

1

$timestamp is an array. So instead of

echo $timestamp;

do

echo $timestamp[0];

And once again if you don't want to have indexes:

$newTimestamp = $timestamp[0];
echo $newTimestamp;

edited Feb 3, 2015 at 14:03

answered Feb 3, 2015 at 13:55

Brejk

4643 silver badges12 bronze badges

Comments

Jonny C · Accepted Answer · 2015-02-03 13:56:10Z

0

You are calling the wrong item, timestamp the variable has become an array call it the same way like this

$timestamp[0]

answered Feb 3, 2015 at 13:56

Jonny C

1,9373 gold badges21 silver badges38 bronze badges

1 Comment

LSD Over a year ago

is there a way to assign that, $timestamp[0] to an actual variable so I can avoid using index numbers...? Or if I want to say, perform a mathematical operation on the timestamp do I have to use, $myResult = $timestamp[0] - 100; because the above just gets me -100

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Assign Array Value to Variable in PHP

3 Answers 3

2 Comments

Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

2 Comments

Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related