Foreach as Variable

[StaceyB]

Can a foreach loop be set as a variable? My script is populating the body of an email and I'd like to capture all the output from the loop into one variable so that I can later reference it in the HTML body.

Each time I attempt to set as a variable I get an error. ie.

$MyVar=foreach([$array] as $key=>$value).....

Any clues?

[Mindzai]

No, a function can't be assigned to a variable in PHP. Want you want can be done in a number of ways, for example adding stuff to a variable on each iteration:

$output = '';
foreach ($foo as $bar) {
    $output .= $bar;
} 

However in a case as simple as the above you can just use implode:

$output = implode($foo); 

[StaceyB]

Thanks Mindzai!! Looks like

$output = '';

was the differerence.

Stupid ?:

.=

I am still learning all the . syntax and I am having difficulty calling 2 variables in my string.

$Files = '';
foreach ($_SESSION[file_array] as $value) {
    $Files .= "<a href='http://www.mydomain/uploads/files/'$AcctNo'/'$value>Uploaded File</a><br />";
}

[Mindzai]

There are a couple of issues with your code.

First the key used with $_SESSION should be in quotes:

$_SESSION['file_array'] 

Also the string you are building will have errors in it. You need to keep an eye on the quotes. I would do it like this:

$files = '';
foreach ($_SESSION['file_array'] as $value) {
    $files .= "<a href=\"http://www.mydomain/uploads/files/$AcctNo/$value\">Uploaded File</a><br />";
} 

You haven't said what the actual problem you are having is though so I don't know if that fixes your issue. If not please provide some detail on what is going wrong.

[StaceyB]

Problem solved!!!! Thanks so much!! It was a syntax error. But I'm learning so much.

It looks as if you have to set the variable before you can set it in the loop?

$files = '';

I've never seen this

.=

Please explain when I should use it.

Thanks for all!

[Mindzai]

It's good practice to initialise variables in this sort of situation yes.

.= is a shortcut for appending a string to itself. For example:

$something = $something . "foo";
// is the same as
$something .= "foo"; 

[StaceyB]

Great info. Thanks!!