Question

Below is a function with a parameter that (in this example case) can contain either ‘cat’, ‘dog’ or ‘bird’. The function contains of a form and I want to be able to set the right radio button as checked, depending on what option the variable $animal contains.

How could this be achieved in an elegant way?

public function SetAsChecked($animal) {
    // $animal = 'cat', 'dog' and 'bird'

    $html = "
            <form method='post'>
                <p>Option</p>
                <input type='radio' name='animals' value='1'> Cat<br />
                <input type='radio' name='animals' value='2'> Dog<br />
                <input type='radio' name='animals' value='3'> Bird<br />
            </form>";

    return $html;
}

Answer 1

Create an array of options instead of repeating HTML:

public function SetAsChecked($animal){

    $options = array(
        '1' => 'Cat',
        '2' => 'Dog',
        '3' => 'Bird'
    );

    $optionsStr = '';

    foreach($options as $value => $name)
    {
        //$checked = $animal == $name ? 'checked' : ''; // use this if you want case sensitive comparison
        $checked = strcasecmp($animal, $name) == 0 ? 'checked' : ''; // case insensitive comparison
        $optionsStr .= "<input type='radio' name='options' value='$value' $checked />$name<br />";
    }

    $html = "
            <form method='post'>
                <p>Option</p>
                $optionsStr
            </form>";

    return $html;
}