Access Variable variables with an object

Question

I don't really know how to decribe this problem, so I'm sorry if the title is a bit unclear.

I got an object with array fields. I got the name of these fields stored in a variable and I want to reach an element in one of those array fields. e.g.

$field_name = 'array_field';

$object = new stdClass();
$object->array_field= array('this', 'is', 'an', 'array);

I know i can access the array with $object->$field_name, but now I want to access a value by key in the array while accessing it with the $field_name variable. e.g.(that obviously does not work) $object->$field_name[0]

Use arrays, dude. Variable variables are lame. – Your Common Sense Oct 23 '10 at 06:30 — Your Common Sense, Oct 23 '10 at 06:30

score 14 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 23 '10 at 06:19

14

I think, you should use something like the following:

$object->{$field_name}[0]

It's described in details in "Variable variables" section of PHP manual: http://www.php.net/manual/en/language.variables.variable.php

BTW, according to my experience, such way of fields manipulation may lead to code obscurity - I'd recommend to use associative arrays, if possible.

answered Oct 23 '10 at 06:19

Kel

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Thanks! Works like a charm. I guess I'm blind because I couldn't find it there or I just didn't know what to look for – Barthje Oct 23 '10 at 06:25

score 3 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 23 '10 at 06:19

3

Try this:

$object->{$field_name}[0]

answered Oct 23 '10 at 06:19

mellowsoon

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Access Variable variables with an object

2 Answers2