Changing the Layout of API Data Output

Question

I am new to API integration and PHP. I recently integrated a VIN decoder into my app. Enter a vehicle\'s VIN into the input box, select submit, and all information regarding tha

Answer 1

I recommend a "master" array to filter and prepare your categorically grouped data. See inline comments for more explanation:

Code: (Demo)

Your Master Array:

$master = [
    "General" => [
        "Make" => "",
        "ModelYear" => "",
        "Model" => "",
        "BodyClass" => "",
        "Doors" => "",
        "Series" => "",
        "VehicleType" => ""
    ],
    "Safety" => [
        "AirBagLocCurtain" => "",
        "AirBagLocFront" => "",
        "AirBagLocSide" => "",
        "SeatBeltsAll" => ""
    ],
    "Engine" => [
        "DisplacementCC" => "",
        "DisplacementCI" => "",
        "DisplacementL" => "",
        "EngineCylinders" => "",
        "EngineHP" => "",
        "EngineKW" => "",
        "EngineManufacturer" => "",
        "EngineModel" => "",
        "TransmissionStyle" => "",
        "OtherEngineInfo" => "",
        "FuelTypePrimary" => "",
        "FuelTypeSecondary" => ""
    ],
    "Factory" => [
        "Manufacturer" => "",
        "ManufacturerId" => "",
        "PlantCity" => "",
        "PlantCountry" => ""
    ],
    "Other" => [
        "ErrorCode" => "",
        "TPMS" => ""
    ]
];

Processing:

foreach ($master as $category => &$items) {  // allow modification of $master data with &
    foreach ($items as $k => &$v) {          // allow modification of $master data with &
        if (isset($json['Results'][0][$k]) && strlen($json['Results'][0][$k])) {  // only bother to process/display desired keys and non-empty values
            $new = $json['Results'][0][$k];
            if ($k == "DisplacementCC") {
                $v = "Engine Displacement 2: $new cc's";
            } elseif ($k == "DisplacementCI") {
                $v = "Engine Displacement 3: $new ci's";
            } elseif ($k == "DisplacementL") {
                $v = "Engine Displacement 1: " . round($new, 1) . " liters";
            } elseif ($k == "EngineKW") {
                $v = "Kilowatts: $new kw";
            } elseif ($k == "EngineManufacturer") {
                $v = "Engine Manufacturer: $new";
            } elseif ($k == "EngineModel") {
                $v = "Engine Model: $new";
            } elseif ($k == "FuelTypePrimary") {
                $v = "Primary Fuel Type: $new";
            } elseif ($k == "FuelTypeSecondary") {
                $v = "Secondary Fuel Type: $new";
            } elseif ($k == "EngineHP") {
                $v = "Horsepower: $new hp";
            } elseif ($k == "EngineCylinders") {
                $v = "Engine Size: $new cylinders";
            } else {
                $v = "$k: $new";
            }
        } else {
            unset($master[$category][$k]);  // remove unwanted element from master
        }
    }
}

unset($items, $v);  // just as a precaution to eliminate the referenced variables

echo "
{$json['Results'][0]['VIN']}
\n\n";
// now iterate the updated $master multi-dimensional array and only display the "good stuff"
foreach ($master as $category => $items) {
    if (!empty($items)) {  // only display categories & rows of data when the category holds 1 or more values
        echo "
$category -";
        foreach ($items as $v) {
            echo "
$v
";
        }
        echo "
";
    }
}

Output:

WAUBFAFL6FA058452

General -
    
Make: AUDI
    
ModelYear: 2015
    
Model: A4
    
BodyClass: Sedan/Saloon
    
Doors: 4
    
Series: Premium quattro
    
VehicleType: PASSENGER CAR


Safety -
    
AirBagLocCurtain: All Rows
    
AirBagLocFront: 1st Row (Driver & Passenger)
    
AirBagLocSide: 1st Row (Driver & Passenger)
    
SeatBeltsAll: Manual


Engine -
    
Engine Displacement 2: 1984 cc's
    
Engine Displacement 3: 121.071108283 ci's
    
Engine Displacement 1: 2 liters
    
Engine Size: 4 cylinders
    
Horsepower: 220 hp
    
Kilowatts: 164.0540 kw
    
Engine Manufacturer: Audi
    
Engine Model: Flex Fuel Capable engine
    
TransmissionStyle: Automatic
    
OtherEngineInfo: Fuel: Gas (50-St); Federal / California Emission Standard: BIN 5 / ULEV II; Emissions Certification Test Group: FVGAV02.0AUB / FVGAJ02.0AUF E85
    
Primary Fuel Type: Gasoline
    
Secondary Fuel Type: Ethanol (E85)


Factory -
    
Manufacturer: AUDI
    
ManufacturerId: 1149
    
PlantCity: Ingolstadt
    
PlantCountry: Germany


Other -
    
ErrorCode: 0 - VIN decoded clean. Check Digit (9th position) is correct
    
TPMS: Indirect

*note, you can use !empty() rather than isset() then strlen() ONLY if you KNOW that you will never have 0 as a valid value. empty() will mistake 0 as a "falsy"/"empty" value and silently call for the element's removal from the master array.