Merging an array but keeping values that weren't in the other array

Question

What I'm trying to do is read an INI file with PHP and then merge the array with another array. For example:

$a1 = parse_ini_file("file1.ini",true);
$a2 = parse_ini_file("file2.ini",true);
$info = array_merge($a1,$a2);

Now here's my problem, if I merge the arrays: The sub-arrays will be completely replaced if it is written in the second ini file.

file1.ini

[BASIC]
title=Title
otherInfo=1
[SECONDSECTION]
thestuffs=3

file2.ini

[BASIC]
otherInfo=6

Now if I were to look at the merged data $info I would get something like this:

$info = array(
    "BASIC" => array(
        "otherInfo" => 6
    ),
    "SECONDSECTION" => array(
        "thestuffs" => 3
    ),
);

DESIRED RESULT:

$info = array(
    "BASIC" => array(
        "title" => "Title"
        "otherInfo" => 6
    ),
    "SECONDSECTION" => array(
        "thestuffs" => 3
    ),
);

You have to use `array_merge_recursive` instead of `array_merge` — hindmost, May 03 '14 at 08:43

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered May 03 '14 at 08:45

2

Change array_merge() to array_merge_recursive().

answered May 03 '14 at 08:45

GreyRoofPigeon

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Not exactly what i'm looking for, but I think I can make it work fairly fine with a little extra checking. And checking is never bad. – Jake May 03 '14 at 09:00

Merging an array but keeping values that weren't in the other array

1 Answers1