Sorting an array dependent on values

Question

Im trying to figure out how to sort the array below so that past array items are sent to the end of the array staying in start_date descending order.

Edit. Id probably include a time array key value item in all arrays to sort by start_date.

[216] => Array (
    [title] => Production 1
    [start_date] => 20th Feb
    [end_date] => 23rd Feb 2015
    [ticket_link] => http://www.google.co.uk
    [writer] => Sarah Ruhl
    [thumb_image] => /files/3514/1762/4350/Biz-Bio-Pic.jpg
    [past] => 1
)

[218] => Array(
    [title] => Production 3
    [start_date] => 27th Feb
    [end_date] => 2nd Mar 2015
    [ticket_link] => www.google.co.uk
    [writer] => Sarah Ruhl
    [thumb_image] => /files/9414/1762/4351/Dan-Bio-Pic.jpg
    [past] => 1
)

[219] => Array (
    [title] => Production 4
    [start_date] => 3rd Mar
    [end_date] => 5th Mar 2015
    [ticket_link] => www.google.co.uk
    [writer] => Sarah Ruhl
    [thumb_image] => /files/4314/1762/4351/Kate-Bio-Pic.jpg
    [past] => 0
)

[usort()](http://www.php.net/manual/en/function.usort.php) is the function you want. You'll need to compare by dates (timestamp or DateTime objects) rather than by date strings, so you'll need a conversion in your callback; and how do you know what year `start_date` refers to? — Mark Baker, Dec 05 '14 at 11:36
@MarkBaker I immediately noticed this when I posted so edited my post. I'll use a time stamp for `start_date`. I've formatted the current `start_date` value so getting the year isn't a problem. How would I make sure `past` items are at the end of the array too? — Rob Morris, Dec 05 '14 at 11:39

Sougata Bose · Answer 1 · 2014-12-05T12:10:22.153

2

Try this -

function checkdate($a, $b)
{
    $a = strtotime($a['start_date']);
    $b = strtotime($b['start_date']);

    if ($a == $b) {
        return 0;
    }

    return ($a > $b) ? -1 : 1;
}

function checkpast($a, $b)
{
    $a_start = strtotime($a['start_date']);
    $b_start = strtotime($b['start_date']);

    if ($a_start == b_start ) {
        return ($a['past'] > $b['past']) ? -1 : 1;
    }

}

$array = //your array

usort($array, "checkdate");
usort($array, "checkpast");

edited Dec 05 '14 at 12:10

answered Dec 05 '14 at 11:40

Sougata Bose

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Before I sorted the array by date how would I order past items so that they are at the end of the array? – Rob Morris Dec 05 '14 at 11:42
How you are defining `past` items?? – Sougata Bose Dec 05 '14 at 11:44
Its a boolean value 1 is past 0 is current – Rob Morris Dec 05 '14 at 12:06
That means both the date and past would be considered at the time of sorting?? – Sougata Bose Dec 05 '14 at 12:08
yes, I still need the array to be in date order but any past item with the value of 1 is appended at the end of the array. – Rob Morris Dec 05 '14 at 12:11

Sorting an array dependent on values

1 Answers1