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PHP PHP Arrays and Control Structures PHP Loops While Listing Array Values

Posted by Kat Stacy
Kat Stacy
41,658 Points

So confused about the $count

//increment before evaluating the $count variable $count=0; while ((list($key, $val) = each($todo)) && (++$count <= 2)) { echo "$key => $val\n"; }

//increment after evaluating the $count variable $count=1; while ((list($key, $val) = each($todo)) && ($count++ <= 2)) { echo "$key => $val\n"; }

I get how the list and the while functions list out the values in the array but I really do not understand how creating a new variable of $count only displays 2 values in this loop. How does a variable affect this loop? I thought only functions could tell us what to do with information and variable store the information. I am so confused.

6 Answers

Michael Smith
Michael Smith
2,572 Points
Michael Smith
Michael Smith
2,572 Points

Yeah, count starts at 0, then increments each time the while loop runs... when the count reaches 2.. the condition $count < 2 fails, and the while loops ends

A for loop would be better... They did it this way using a while loop because for loop hadn't been taught yet (I think!)

Kat Stacy
Kat Stacy
41,658 Points

Okay thanks, Michael!

Edward Lee
Edward Lee
1,805 Points
Edward Lee
Edward Lee
1,805 Points

I agree with Cliff. The PHP videos are clear until this very video. I've been re-watching and this video runs through a lot without really explaining.

Adam N
Adam N
70,280 Points
Adam N
Adam N
70,280 Points

I'm not sure how that code works, either. I think writing it like this is clearer:

$count = 0;
foreach ($learn as $key => $val) {

    if ($count < 2) {
         echo "$key $val\n";

    }

    $count++;
}
Dennis Amiel Domingo
Dennis Amiel Domingo
17,039 Points
Dennis Amiel Domingo
Dennis Amiel Domingo
17,039 Points 
$count = 0;
while ((list($key, $val) = each($learn)) && $count++ < 2) {
    echo "$key => $val\n" . "<br>";
}

((list($key, $val) = each($learn)) ---> Gets the keys and the values inside the $learn array

&& $count++ < 2) ---> As long as the $count variable is less than 2...

echo "$key => $val\n" . "<br>"; ---> ...show the value along with its key from the $learn array

Each loop increments 1 to the variable $count. The code loops until $count is no longer less than 2.

kevin hudson
PLUS
kevin hudson
Courses Plus Student 11,987 Points
kevin hudson
kevin hudson
Courses Plus Student 11,987 Points

the $count++ in the operation will add 1 during the first iteration. The next Iteration will add another 1 making it $count = 2. I understood this but man this is so different from other programming languages that use for loops or foreach. I have to adjust.

Michael Smith
Michael Smith
2,572 Points
Michael Smith
Michael Smith
2,572 Points

I don't blame you! I'm far from a beginner coder, yet it took me a while to figure out what the hell count was doing... she's a very messy / lazy coder, which is fine and all... just not for an instructional video.

Kat Stacy
Kat Stacy
41,658 Points

Did you ever figure out what it means and how it functions?

Cliff Jackson
Cliff Jackson
2,887 Points
Cliff Jackson
Cliff Jackson
2,887 Points

This has become very confusing all of a sudden, the first time i have actually felt like walking away from this, i feel this should of been covered in far greater detail