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PHP: Sort array by value, keep keys
Posted on 2011-09-20
How can I sort my array by values, while maintaining keys?
My code below sorts by the keys, not the values:
I want this:
My code below sorts by the keys, not the values:
<pre><?php
$zzz=array();
$zzz['b']='Banana';
$zzz['z']='Cherry';
$zzz['m']='Apple';
$zzz['a']='Durian';
asort($zzz);
$zzz = array_merge(array('a'=>'Apple'),$zzz);
print_r($zzz);
?>
</pre>
I want this:
Array
(
[m] => Apple
[b] => Banana
[z] => Cherry
[a] => Durian
)
[X]
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2 Comments
Hi hankknight,
I've had a quick look and from what I can see the asort() function is the correct one to use, but I belive the array_merge line you are using afterwards is affecting the order of your array.
For example, try performing another asort() after the array_merge() as follows:
This gives the following (note the second print_r statement outputs the array in your desired order.
If this is in fact the case then I would suggest performing a single asort() after your have finished running any required array_merge() functions.
I hope this helps with your problem.
Cheers
Matt
I've had a quick look and from what I can see the asort() function is the correct one to use, but I belive the array_merge line you are using afterwards is affecting the order of your array.
For example, try performing another asort() after the array_merge() as follows:
$zzz=array();
$zzz['b']='Banana';
$zzz['z']='Cherry';
$zzz['m']='Apple';
$zzz['a']='Durian';
asort($zzz);
$zzz = array_merge(array('a'=>'Apple'),$zzz);
echo '<pre>'; print_r($zzz); echo '</pre>';
asort($zzz);
echo '<pre>'; print_r($zzz); echo '</pre>';
This gives the following (note the second print_r statement outputs the array in your desired order.
Array
(
[a] => Durian
[m] => Apple
[b] => Banana
[z] => Cherry
)
Array
(
[m] => Apple
[b] => Banana
[z] => Cherry
[a] => Durian
)
If this is in fact the case then I would suggest performing a single asort() after your have finished running any required array_merge() functions.
I hope this helps with your problem.
Cheers
Matt
Just to provide a bit more information for you, the PHP manual page for array_merge() states the following:
"Merges the elements of one or more arrays together so that the values of one are appended to the end of the previous one."
"If the input arrays have the same string keys, then the later value for that key will overwrite the previous one."
This would explain the problem.
What I believe is happening is you are first creating the array $zzz and then you are appending this array onto your array('a'=>'Apple') created on line 10.
This is first creating a new array, with a single element who's key is 'a' and value is 'Apple'. The array_merge() is then appending the existing $zzz array onto the end. Leaving 'a'=>'Apple' as the first element in the array. Subsequently, as the documentation states, because your $zzz array has an existing key 'a' who's value is 'Durian' this is overwriting 'a'.
My apologies, I'm struggling to explain it however hopefully it makes some sense to you.
Cheers
Matt
"Merges the elements of one or more arrays together so that the values of one are appended to the end of the previous one."
"If the input arrays have the same string keys, then the later value for that key will overwrite the previous one."
This would explain the problem.
What I believe is happening is you are first creating the array $zzz and then you are appending this array onto your array('a'=>'Apple') created on line 10.
This is first creating a new array, with a single element who's key is 'a' and value is 'Apple'. The array_merge() is then appending the existing $zzz array onto the end. Leaving 'a'=>'Apple' as the first element in the array. Subsequently, as the documentation states, because your $zzz array has an existing key 'a' who's value is 'Durian' this is overwriting 'a'.
My apologies, I'm struggling to explain it however hopefully it makes some sense to you.
Cheers
Matt
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