[JiminSA]

I am trying to sort an array using a value in that array, using the following code...

PHP Code:

$vehicles = LoadVehicles();
if ( (array) $vehicles == $vehicles ) 
{
    function compare_datetime($a, $b)
    {
        return strnatcmp($a['datetime'], $b['datetime']);
    }
    usort($vehicles, 'compare_datetime');
    var_dump ($vehicles);
}
exit; 


which I gleaned from this tutorial.
Unfortunately I am getting a notification - viz:-

Notice: Undefined index: datetime in C:\xampp\htdocs\S4W\public_html\CMS\convert.php on line 25

Does one need to "define" or "declare" an associative array, before one can use it? If so, how?

[dukevyner]

"This error appears because of your PHP error reporting settings. Usually, it appears when your variable is not properly set."
make sure that all variables are set such as "$a" and "$b"

[JiminSA]

I have modified the code thus but still pick up the notice

PHP Code:

$vehicles_in = LoadVehicles();

if ( (array) $vehicles_in == $vehicles_in ) 
{
    function compare_datetime($a, $b)
    {
        return strnatcmp($a['datetime'], $b['datetime']);
    }
}
    $a = $vehicles_in;
    $b = $vehicles_in;
    usort($vehicles_in, 'compare_datetime');
    var_dump ($vehicles_in);
exit; 


[JiminSA]

I don't see that it's necessary, but I initialise the array thus...

PHP Code:

$vehicles_in = array(
    $vehicles_in["fame"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["phone"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["cell"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["suburb"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["make"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["model"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["year"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["kms"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["colour"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["extras"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["servhist"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["accidents"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["settlement"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["finhouse"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["monthsrem"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["monthsarr"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["amtrem"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["price"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["comments"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["tprice"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["rprice"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["natis"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["pics4"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["wcdisc"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["aprice"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["status"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["notes"] = "",
    $vehicles_in["datetime"] = ""
); 


[allnodcoms]

Hi Ho Jim...

I think the problem here is that your two sort functions are expecting a single dimensional array, and unless I'm very much mistaken, your LoadVehicles(); function will return a multidimensional one (as your strnatcmp(); call is comparing similar keys and, obviously, because you told me the other day!).

This ain't gonna work fella. The array_multisort(); function is the way to go on this as it sieves multidimensional and multiple arrays by a single key.

Do I really need to mention that your array definition looks like a table in a MySQL database and that you could sort your records with a single call, using standard PHP? No... thought not.

Danny

[JiminSA]

Thanks for the solution Danny.

I shall indeed be looking to come out of hibernation with this project and have already opened one eye inasmuch as I have set up the vehicles db on my server

Can you recommend a good tutorial, without too much PHPspeak?

[allnodcoms]

Give this one a bash mate. If you've got any questions you know the addy

Have fun fella... It's a doddle once you get going.

Danny

[JiminSA]

Aargh!

No Joy - adjusted the code so...

PHP Code:

$vehicles_in = LoadVehicles();

if ( (array) $vehicles_in == $vehicles_in ) 
{

    foreach ($vehicles_in as $key => $row) {
        $datetime[$key]  = $row['datetime'];
    }

    array_multisort($datetime, SORT_DESC, $vehicles_in);
    $vehicles_out = $vehicles_in;
    var_dump ( $vehicles_out );
}
exit; 


But still get..

Notice: Undefined index: datetime in C:\xampp\htdocs\S4W\public_html\CMS\convert.php on line 88

Line 88 = $datetime[$key] = $row['datetime'];

This is vexing!

[allnodcoms]

Right, I've taken a good long look at this and there are two possible solutions:

1. Explicitly define $datetime as an array
2. There is an issue with your LoadVehicles(); function

To test theory 1, add:

PHP Code:

$datetime = array(); 


before your 'foreach()'. This will ensure that $datetime is defined as an array, but I don't think that's it...

LoadVehicles() should return a correctly formatted, multidimensional array:

PHP Code:

$vehicle = array(); 
$vehicle[] = array('key1' => 'value1', 'key2' => 'value2');
$vehicle[] = array('key1' => 'value1', 'key2' => 'value2');
$vehicle[] = array('key1' => 'value1', 'key2' => 'value2'); 
// and so on... 


Give these a go and see if we are getting any nearer. Keep me posted!

Danny

[JiminSA]

This a var_dump of a portion (1st record) of the array retrieved by Loadvehicles

PHP Code:

array(2) { ["vehicles"]=> array(59) { [1]=> array(30) { ["fame"]=> string(6) "Victor" ["email"]=> string(18) "vomoil@hotmail.com" ["phone"]=> string(10) "0727504912" ["cell"]=> string(10) "0727504912" ["suburb"]=> string(11) "Sunninghill" ["make"]=> string(3) "BMW" ["model"]=> string(4) "325i" ["year"]=> string(4) "2008" ["kms"]=> string(6) "87 000" ["colour"]=> string(5) "white" ["extras"]=> string(73) "sunroof, climate control, auto cruise control, PDC, motor plan up to 100k" ["servhist"]=> NULL ["accidents"]=> string(4) "none" ["settlement"]=> string(10) "Yes - Full" ["finhouse"]=> string(6) "toyota" ["monthsrem"]=> string(3) "n/a" ["monthsarr"]=> string(3) "n/a" ["amtrem"]=> string(3) "n/a" ["price"]=> string(7) "210 000" ["comments"]=> string(6) "change" ["photos"]=> array(0) { } ["tprice"]=> string(4) "0.00" ["rprice"]=> string(4) "0.00" ["natis"]=> string(3) "Yes" ["pics4"]=> string(9) "Requested" ["wcdisc"]=> string(3) "Yes" ["aprice"]=> string(0) "" ["status"]=> string(10) "No Contact" ["notes"]=> string(0) "" ["datetime"]=> int(1341054720) 


["datetime"] is right at the record's end
I've adjusted the code for the array define...

PHP Code:

$vehicles_in = LoadVehicles();

$datetime = array();
$row = array();
$row["datetime"] = "";
var_dump ( $vehicles_in );

if ( (array) $vehicles_in == $vehicles_in ) 
{

    foreach ($vehicles_in as $key => $row) {
        $datetime[$key]  = $row['datetime'];
    }

    array_multisort($datetime, SORT_ASC, $vehicles_in);

    $vehicles_out = $vehicles_in;
    var_dump ( $vehicles_out );
}
exit; 


still get the notification! for this line ... $datetime[$key] = $row['datetime'];

[JiminSA]

$vehicles is multi-dimensional - I forgot to define it correctly - $vehicles_in["vehicles"]

Now we are getting closer to the actual sort and have hit this problem...

Warning: array_multisort() [function.array-multisort]: Array sizes are inconsistent in C:\xampp\htdocs\S4W\public_html\CMS\convert.php on line 97

where line 97 is

PHP Code:

    array_multisort($datetime, SORT_ASC, $vehicles_in); 


the current code is...

PHP Code:

$vehicles_in = LoadVehicles();

$vehicle = $vehicles_in["vehicles"][1];
echo "Date-Time " . $vehicle["datetime"];

if ( (array) $vehicles_in == $vehicles_in ) 
{

    foreach ($vehicles_in["vehicles"] as $key => $row) { 
        $datetime[$key] = $row['datetime']; 
    } 

    array_multisort($datetime, SORT_ASC, $vehicles_in); 

    $vehicles_out = $vehicles_in; }
/*    var_dump ( $vehicles_out ); }*/
exit; 


[allnodcoms]

Inconsistent array sizes is down to your loading / saving code mate. If there is an empty field you'll need to write out a string, a blank or empty string may not make it through your serialisation and this would lead to your problem. It's the number of fields in each sub-array and not the length of them that is the issue, so I'm guessing it's down to the read / write on your csv file.

That's where I'd start looking anyway...

Danny

[JiminSA]

Ta Danny - I'll look tomz... ni-night...

[JiminSA]

Danny, would I be right in assuming that these difficulties would be alleviated if I went MySql and read the array in from there?

[allnodcoms]

By Jove I think he's got it!

Yes mate - "SELECT * FROM 'vehicles' ORDER BY 'datetime'" - that's it!

Good choice Jamesy, any problems - you know how to find me.

Danny