PHP recursive multidimensional loop - php

Question

$printArr = recursive($newArray); //calls recursive function
$data = [];
var_dump($data);
var_dump($printArr);
function recursive($array, $level = 0)
{
$searchingValue = 'tableName';
foreach($array as $key => $value)
{
//If $value is an array.
if(is_array($value))
{
recursive($value, $level + 1);
}
else
{
//It is not an array, so print it out.
if($key == $searchingValue)
{
echo "[".$key . "] => " . $value, '<br>';
$data[] = $value;
}
}
}
}
So I have this function and I am trying to save $value value into $data[] array. But it always returns it empty and I don't know why I can't get $value saved outside the function.
If i echo $value I get what i need but like I've mentioned the variables doesn't get saved in this case - table names.

Answer 1

You need to pass the $data to your recursive function. Also you need to return the $data.
Try this code :
function recursive($array, $level = 0, $data =[])
{
$searchingValue = 'tableName';
foreach($array as $key => $value)
{
//If $value is an array.
if(is_array($value))
{
recursive($value, $level + 1 , $data);
}
else
{
//It is not an array, so print it out.
if($key == $searchingValue)
{
echo "[".$key . "] => " . $value, '<br>';
$data[] = $value;
}
}
}
return $data;
}

Answer 2

You can't access variable $data, which is outside the function, from the function. You need to pass it by reference or return it. Small example
<?php
$a = 1;
// Your case
function b() {
$a = 4;
return true;
}
// Passing by reference
function c(&$d) {
$d = 5;
return true;
}
// Using return
function d($d) {
$d = 6;
return $d;
}
b();
var_dump($a);
c($a);
var_dump($a);
$a = d($a);
var_dump($a);
https://3v4l.org/UXFdR