php array returns undefined but print_r shows otherwise

Question

foreach($jsonmediationinfo as $value1) {
    echo $value1['mstatus'];
    print_r($jsonmediationinfo);
}

Output:

1Array ( [0] => Array ( [mstatus] => 1 [mhearingnum] => first [mminutes] => adakjaflafjlarjkelfkalfkd;la ) [1] => Array ( [mhearingnum] => second [mminutes] => ) [2] => Array ( [mhearingnum] => third [mminutes] => ) )

Undefined index: mstatus in ... on line 265 line 265 is line echo $value1['mstatus'];

This is my php server side code.This used to saved data into database but i am getting undefined index:mstatus in line 265. But in the print_r the index mstatus clearly exists. Also if I check in database when I update the data the values changes to correct value. In this example the value is changed to 1.

What is the problem in this line of code. Any suggestion is appreciated

There is no `mstatus` in the second and third array. Probably you need `if(isset($value1['mstatus']))`. — VolenD, Jun 23 '15 at 07:30
`mstatus` only exists in the first array, not in the others. — Realitätsverlust, Jun 23 '15 at 07:32
@user3584460 you can post it as correct answer i will accept it — Brownman Revival, Jun 23 '15 at 07:33

RuubW · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-23T07:48:26.330

The array you're looping looks like this:

Array (
    [0] => Array (
        [mstatus] => 1
        [mhearingnum] => first
        [mminutes] => adakjaflafjlarjkelfkalfkd;la
    )
    [1] => Array (
        [mhearingnum] => second
        [mminutes] =>
    )
    [2] => Array (
        [mhearingnum] => third
        [mminutes] =>
    )
)

Only the sub array at the first index contains mstatus, so on the second iteration of the loop it throws the exception. It's best to check if mstatus is present using isset($value1['mstatus']).

foreach ($jsonmediationinfo as $value1) {
    if (isset($value1['mstatus'])) {
        echo $value1['mstatus'];
        print_r($jsonmediationinfo);
    }
}

In a real life scenario you could handle your status like this:

foreach ($jsonmediationinfo as $value1) {
    if (isset($value1['mstatus']) && ($value1['mstatus'] === 1 || $value1['mstatus'] === true)) {
        // Do something with the positive status
    } else {
        // Do something with the negative/missing status
    }
}

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 23 '15 at 08:19

As RuubW mentioned

you could handle real life condition like this also

    foreach ($jsonmediationinfo as $value1) {
        if (array_key_exists('mstatus',$value1)) {
            echo $value1['mstatus'];
        } 
        print_r($jsonmediationinfo);
    }

php array returns undefined but print_r shows otherwise

2 Answers2