PHP - Fairly Simple Regex Question

I just want to know how to create a global variable from within a function.

The reason I want to do this is I'm making mysql queries that may or may not have data in a function, if the data does indeed exist, I want to declare variables at that point.
My queries are grouped logically by year/month, and as a result I'm going to be appending data to existing variables if they exist so it makes more sense to just append it to what would be the global variable anyways instead of just passing large strings out of the function to just be appended anyways -- plus it prevents me from creating a bunch of pointless variables.

I intend additionally take the variables created inside the function and then store them in an encompassing global array (pre-defined outside of function) and at the end of the script do a foreach through it so I can iterate through the variables to grab my data knowing that there won't be pointless crap in there.

I'm trying to create global variables by using variable variables ($$whichever). The code giving me issues inside the function is just like this:
Code: [Select]
function SeekAndAppend ($vars, $being, $passed) {
   global $$whatever;         // Trying to define it here
   global $array;             // Calling predefined $array
   $array[] = "$$whatever";   // Passing just created global to the array for iteration later
}

When I iterate through the array the expected name of what would be the global variable name is there, but the global variable itself does not exist -- just at the function level.

If someone has a recommendation on a better way to do it, I'll listen, but please don't turn it into a lecture.   

EDIT: Grammar & Clarity

Given the below rules and following browser input: user/joe/x

I think this is a simple question, but I'm just starting out and can't figure out how to do this exactly.

I'm making a demo site for a flower shop. The structure is as such (only listing the particular files in question - once this is done, the rest will be easy)

index.php -> inc_show_colors.php -> showColors.php

The index is to be standard through the site, loading include files into a main content area.  Clicking on a link loads inc_by_color.php (index.php -> index.php?page=by_color )

From there, one of the four colors is selected.

showColors.php contains switch statements for each color. I want to load showColors.php into the main content window when a color is selected, and I need to have it work for all four colors. I'm not sure how to do this, as you can't pass a variable to an include from what I understand.

What's the easiest way to go about this? Keep in mind this is an intro class and "best practices" are not necessary yet, just the simplest solution to get it working.

 I want each of these colors to link to another include file, which will load in its place in index.php.


index.php:
Code: [Select]
<div id="maincontent">
<?php
if (isset($_GET['page'])) {
switch ($_GET['page']) {
case 'by_color':
include('includes/inc_by_color.php');
break;
case 'by_type':
include('includes/inc_by_type.php');
break;
case 'by_occasion':
include('includes/inc_by_occasion.php');
break;
case 'view_cart':
include('includes/inc_view_cart.php');
break;
case 'payment_options':
include('includes/inc_payment_options.php');
break;

case 'home_page':
default:
include('includes/inc_home.php');
break;
}
}
else 
include('includes/inc_home.php');

?>
</div>

inc_by_color.php:
The first link I tried doing in the way I thought would work, but it doesn't. It can't find the include file.
The second one works, kind of - but it just loads the page by itself, not into the maincontent div in index.php.
Code: [Select]
<h1>Flowers Categorized by Color</h1>
<div class="picdivcontainer">
<div class="picdiv"><a href="index.php?page=red"><img src="images/image.png" width="90" height="90" alt="Red Flowers" />
  <p>Red</a></p></div>
<div class="picdiv"><a href="showColors.php?color=white"><img src="images/image.png" width="90" height="90" alt="White Flowers" /></a>
  <p><a href="showColors.php?color=white">White</a></p></div>
</div>

and showColors.php:
Code: [Select]
if (isset($_GET['color'])) {
switch ($_GET['color']) {
case 'red':
$result = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM flowers WHERE color='red'") or die(mysql_error());
while($row = mysql_fetch_array( $result )) {
// Set and trim strings and show the resulting flowers from query
$flowername = $row['name'];
$flowerimage = $row['image'];
$image_path = "images/";
$flowername = str_replace('_', ' ', $flowername);
$flowername = ucwords($flowername);
?> <div class="picdiv"><p><?php echo $flowername."<br />";
$flowerimage = str_replace(' ', '_', $flowerimage);
echo "<img src='images/" . $row['image'] . "' />";
?></p></div> <?php
} 
break;
I realize that showColors.php is probably a really messy way of doing this, but I just need to get it functioning ASAP for now.

This topic has been moved to PHP Regex.

http://www.phpfreaks.com/forums/index.php?topic=349116.0

This topic has been moved to PHP Regex.

http://www.phpfreaks.com/forums/index.php?topic=353729.0