How To Check 5 Empty Variables in PHP

Question

I need to make a conditional statement where the 5 variables should be empty before perform an action. The problem is some variables can be zero, false or NULL value. How to catch all of them?

Which one is better?

If (!$a && !$b && !$c && !$d && !$e) {

  // do some action 

} else {

  exit;

}

OR

If (empty($a) && empty($b) && empty($c) && empty($d) && empty($e)) {

  // do some action 

} else {

  exit;

}

Thank you.

You should first define to yourself exactly what 'empty' means. — castis, Jul 23 '18 at 16:38
Using `empty` means you won't get any errors if the variables don't exist, but otherwise these are equivalent. Use whichever makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. — iainn, Jul 23 '18 at 16:42

Alexandre Painchaud · Answer 1 · 2018-07-23T16:57:31.927

1

First of all, use "code sample" to show code.

When you use !$a you are actually casting $a to boolean. The problem here is

$a = 0;
if (!$a) {
  echo 'NOT EMPTY';
} else {
   echo 'EMPTY';
}
//OUTPUT EMPTY BECAUSE 0 to boolean is FALSE

Same example with NULL value.

About empty i advice you to check the documentation

Read it and choose the way that fit your needs.

Hope this helps

edited Jul 23 '18 at 16:57

answered Jul 23 '18 at 16:47

Alexandre Painchaud

462
3
7

A l w a y s S u n n y · Accepted Answer · 2018-07-23T16:58:22.183

0

This could be an approach to check multiple variables are empty at once.

<?php
$a = $b = $c = $d = $e = '';
#$b = 5; // comment out to go on else block
if (empty($a . $b . $c . $d . $e)){
    echo "All variables are empty, do what you want to do man";
}else{
    echo "One of variable is not empty";
}
?>

edited Jul 23 '18 at 16:58

answered Jul 23 '18 at 16:47

A l w a y s S u n n y

36,497
8
60
103

This is a good approach I looking for. I marked your answer as accepted. Thank you! – Drunken M Jul 24 '18 at 02:08
@DrunkenM glad it helps you somehow, best of luck – A l w a y s S u n n y Jul 24 '18 at 02:09

How To Check 5 Empty Variables in PHP

2 Answers2