using in array to compare vals to known COOKIE

[php4U]

I'm using the following to check if the COOKIE is set and to show an image based on that selection...COOKIE values are red, blue, and green.

This works just fine, but I wanted to see about changing it so I can use this somewhere else where it would provide a hex color like #FF0000

$theirstyle = isset($_COOKIE['theirstyle']) ? $_COOKIE['theirstyle'] : '';
// after some validation of $theirstyle
$header_image = in_array($theirstyle, array('red', 'blue', 'green')) ?
'images/header_' . $theirstyle . '.gif' : 'images/header_red.gif';

I read up on arrays and I changed the code to 'red' => '#FF0000', and removed the reference to the image etc. but it isn't working properly because it still looks for that initial name "red" "blue" "green" value. I know I can do this with an image if I really need to but I am curious if it can be done through this method. Thank you for any suggestions.

[idev]

Make sure you understand the code.

$theirstyle = isset($_COOKIE['theirstyle']) ? $_COOKIE['theirstyle'] : '';
// here you get the theirstyle from cookie

$header_image = in_array($theirstyle, array('red', 'blue', 'green'))
// if it's within the array, e.g. 'blue'

?

'images/header_' . $theirstyle . '.gif'
// use the blue.gif image

: 'images/header_red.gif';
// otherwise use the default image

So... if there's a color within that cookie, just check if the value is valid (nothing embedded), e.g. if(preg_match('/#[a-zA-Z0-9]/', $theirstyle)) echo $theirstyle;

[php4U]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I understand the code because it works fine now for what I am using it for as I mentioned. I get the logic in it, and how it works. When the style is changed it's done like this switcher.php?set=red and nothing is set as far as #FF0000. Trying to figure out if "red" is set how I can use "red" in the code for the image like above and how I could also use #FF0000 as the value in another area like...

$footer_color = in_array($theirstyle, array('red' => '#FF0000', 'blue' => '#ABC', 'green' => '#XYZ')) ?
'' . $thierstyle . '' : '#FF0000';

I want to save myself from creating 3 more images like the header. If I can somehow get the array to output #FF0000 for the "red" style I can use css to create the bottom border, but I don't think it's possible since #FF0000 isn't set in the COOKIE.

[idev]

Actually red, blue and green are supported by both html and css.

If you wish to use the translator array, you'll need to setup a separate array or search by key, not by value as in_array does.

Good luck.

[php4U]

Yeah just like black, white, yellow etc. does because the array does work with those name values. There is a reason that I am asking about a hex value, because the color such as color: red; isn't close to my red color (#FF0000 was only an ex.). I'll check out the other array types, thank you.

[edited by: php4U at 1:32 am (utc) on Mar. 20, 2009]

[idev]

there're no other array types. it's just the way you check if you have that value built into your script

$a = array('red' => '#FF0000', 'blue' => '#ABC', 'green' => '#XYZ');

echo $a[$theirstyle];

would give you the color code you want;

welcome!

[php4U]

I mis-spoke, I just meant another method other than in_array, sorry about that.

I had the idea of the array right, but had difficulty trying to tie it to my known variable $theirstyle

It worked like a charm, and I really appreciate your help on this!