php: array_replace_recursive alternative

Question

I need a solution for array_replace_recursive, because my php-version isn't high enough. I want to use this code:

$_GET = array_replace_recursive($_GET, array("__amp__"=>"&"));

easy, isn't it?

Answer 1

On the PHP docs page for array_replace_recursive, someone posted the following source code to use in place of it:

<?php
if (!function_exists('array_replace_recursive'))
{
 function array_replace_recursive($array, $array1)
 {
 function recurse($array, $array1)
 {
 foreach ($array1 as $key => $value)
 {
 // create new key in $array, if it is empty or not an array
 if (!isset($array[$key]) || (isset($array[$key]) && !is_array($array[$key])))
 {
 $array[$key] = array();
 }
 // overwrite the value in the base array
 if (is_array($value))
 {
 $value = recurse($array[$key], $value);
 }
 $array[$key] = $value;
 }
 return $array;
 }
 // handle the arguments, merge one by one
 $args = func_get_args();
 $array = $args[0];
 if (!is_array($array))
 {
 return $array;
 }
 for ($i = 1; $i < count($args); $i++)
 {
 if (is_array($args[$i]))
 {
 $array = recurse($array, $args[$i]);
 }
 }
 return $array;
 }
}
?>

• mikewasmike: When using the function more than once, I get: Fatal error: Cannot redeclare recurse()

Answer 2

The code above by @Justin is ok, save for 2 things:

1. Function is not readily available at start of php execution be cause it is wrapped in if(). PHP docu says

   When a function is defined in a conditional manner such as the two examples shown. Its definition must be processed prior to being called.

2. Most importantly; calling the function twice results in fatal error. PHP docu says

   All functions and classes in PHP have the global scope - they can be called outside a function even if they were defined inside and vice versa.

So I just moved the recurse function outside array_replace_recursive function and it worked well. I also removed the if() condition and renamed it to array_replace_recursive_b4php53 for fear of future upgradings

• mickmackusa: This should be a comment on Justin's answer (because space is limited in a comment, you could post the full message in a link). Flagged as this is not an answer.