Question

I access an API that returns an array of elements.

If there is only one element, it will return the array as:

Array {

   [response] => Array {

      [name] => Frank

   }

}

However, if there are multiple results, it goes one level deeper to account for each result:

Array {

   [response] => Array {

      [0] = > Array {

         [name] => Frank

      }

      [1] = > Array {

         [name] => John

      }

   }

}

This is quite frustrating as it means I have to first check if there is just one element or more than one, and then code each one separately.

Is there a better solution that automatically takes care of both scenarios (e.g. one result vs. multiple results) and always retrieves the name’s that are available regardless ?

Answer 1

You could either write an iterator that would deal with your special case, or you iterate over it an deal with the special case:

foreach ($array['response'] as $responses)
{
    isset ($responses[0]) || $responses = array($responses);
    foreach ($repsonses as $response)
    {
        # standard processing code per each item.
    }
}

Special cases can be very annoying, so take care of them early and ideally make them disappear.