PHP Deep Extend Array

Question

How can I do a deep extension of a multi dimensional associative array (for use with decoded JSON objects). I need the php equivalent of jQuery\'s $.extend(true, array1, arr

Answer 1

This might be what you're looking for:

function array_extend(&$result) {
  if (!is_array($result)) {
    $result = array();
  }

  $args = func_get_args();

  for ($i = 1; $i < count($args); $i++) {
    // we only work on array parameters:
    if (!is_array($args[$i])) continue;

    // extend current result:
    foreach ($args[$i] as $k => $v) {
      if (!isset($result[$k])) {
        $result[$k] = $v;
      }
      else {
        if (is_array($result[$k]) && is_array($v)) {
          array_extend($result[$k], $v);
        }
        else {
          $result[$k] = $v;
        }
      }
    }
  }

  return $result;
}

Usage:

$arr1 = array('a' => 1, 'b' => 2, 'c' => 3);
$arr2 = array('b' => 'b', 'd' => 'd');
array_extend($arr1, $arr2);
print_r($arr1); // array('a' => 1, 'b' => 'b', 'c' => 3, 'd' => 'd')

// or, to create a new array and leave $arr1 unchanged use:
array_extend($arr3, $arr1, $arr2);
print_r($arr3); // array('a' => 1, 'b' => 'b', 'c' => 3, 'd' => 'd')

// or, use the return value:
print_r(array_extend($arr1, $arr2)); // but this will also modify $arr1