Variable, variables and variable

[instinctive]

How can I echo an array of variables with commas + 'ands' where appropriate? For example, say there is an array of artist names such as:

bob, mary, john

how can I have php make use of commas and 'and' when displaying these? 'artists' array may only have one artist in which case I'd want it on it's own:

bob

if there are two variables then 'and' should be used:

bob and mary

but if there are three (or more) artists, commas and 'and' are needed:

bob, mary and john

Is there any way of doing this without having a switch of ifelse statement for each possible number of artists?
Thanks and bye -- This message may have been cut off and the rest will only be shown to members. To become a member, click here --

[azhar]

I think the simpliest way would be to check for the size, use ifs/case to check if its one, two or three or more. then for 3 or more. loop through the array and print it with commas until you get to the item in the array with an index that is two less then the size. then use an and.

something like:


PHP Code:
if(sizeof($artists) >=3){
for($i ==0; $i < sizeof($artists); $i++){
if($i < sizeof($artists) - 2){
echo $artists[$i] . ", ";
}
else if($i == sizeof($artists) - 2){
echo $artists[$i] . " and ";
}
else{
echo $artists[$i];
}
}

i didn't test this so there is probably some missing semi colans and such but it should give you the general idea. -- This message may have been cut off and the rest will only be shown to members. To become a member, click here --

[stephanie]

This'll save you a loop:


PHP Code:
//initial array
$array1 = array('bob');
$array2 = array('bob','martha');
$array3 = array('bob','martha','jim');

$count = count($array);

//implode will ignore the glue in single-element arrays,
//so we can run arrays 1 and 2 through the basic 'and' routine
if( $count < 3 )
{
$string = implode(' and ',$array);
}
else
{
//break array into comma-delimited string
$string = implode(', ',$array);

//get position of comma before the last array element
$spot = strrpos($string, ', ' . $array[$count - 1]);

//replace the ', ' before the last element with ' and '
$string = substr_replace($string, ' and ', $spot, 2);

}

//$array1 = 'bob'
//$array2 = 'bob and martha'
-- This message may have been cut off and the rest will only be shown to members. To become a member, click here --