Counting elements in multidimensional array?

Question

I'm trying to count the nested elements in a multidimensional array. At first I thought I could use COUNT_RECURSIVE, but that counts everything. So I've tried two different approaches, none of them appeal to me. Is there a better way to do it?

$count = 0;
foreach ($topics as $t) {
    foreach ($t as $c) {
    $count++; 
    }
}
echo $count;

// or

echo (count($topics, COUNT_RECURSIVE)-count($topics));

Your first code block does what any PHP function would have to do to get the answer you want. — Pete
– Pete, Commented Feb 23, 2012 at 22:01
You answered your own question, the second method is correct and the only method I would recommend. — Mike L.
– Mike L., Commented Feb 23, 2012 at 22:02
I'm thinking you want to count the array elements with values, but not those with arrays in them? Also, you mention multidimensional arrays - are we talking arbitrary dimensions, or just 2? — Surreal Dreams
– Surreal Dreams, Commented Feb 23, 2012 at 22:02
His second code block is much faster and will always yield the same result. — Mike L.
– Mike L., Commented Feb 23, 2012 at 22:03
Actually, I'm pretty sure the first block is the fastest. What makes you say otherwise @Mike? — nielsstampe
– nielsstampe, Commented Feb 23, 2012 at 22:05

Mike L. · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-23 22:04:40Z

2

function countNested($arr) {
    return (count($arr, COUNT_RECURSIVE) - count($arr));
}

answered Feb 23, 2012 at 22:04

Mike L.

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Michas · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-23 22:09:50Z

0

I would write this code:

$count = 0;
foreach ($topics as $t) {
    $count+= count($t); 
}
echo $count;

answered Feb 23, 2012 at 22:09

Michas

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1 Comment

Michas Over a year ago

I think it count elements in two-dimensional array. I don't like the COUNT_RECURSIVE form, it is too counter intuitive for me.

Mayank Jain · Accepted Answer · 2015-03-11 13:42:42Z

0

//The following example will count either one-dimensional or two-dimensional arrays

$values_count = (count($values, COUNT_RECURSIVE) - count($values)?:count($values));

edited Mar 11, 2015 at 13:42

Mayank Jain

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answered Mar 11, 2015 at 13:22

Kozimbek

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