PHP: split a mySQLi array in two divs? - php

Question

I'm currently working on a page that calls a mySQL database to populate a list of members. However, I need that list to be split into two equal parts, so that half can float to the left and half to the right. However, I have beat this horse to death and still cannot figure out how to split the array.
Here's what I have currently:
<div class="holder">
<?php
$members = $db->query('SELECT * FROM tableContacts ORDER BY lastName ASC');
$rowcount = mysqli_num_rows($members);
if ( $rowcount > 0 ) { ?>
<div class="members-left">
<ul class="members">
<?php while ($row = $members->fetch_assoc()) { ?>
<li class="member">
//SOME CONTENT HERE
</li>
<?php } ?>
</ul>
</div>
<?php } ?>
</div>
However, I want the output to look something like this (let's say my table has 10 members):
<div class="holder">
<!--output first half of members from table: -->
<div class="members-left">
<ul class="members">
<li class="member">...</li>
<li class="member">...</li>
<li class="member">...</li>
<li class="member">...</li>
<li class="member">...</li>
</ul>
</div>
<!--output second half of members from table: -->
<div class="members-right">
<ul class="members">
<li class="member">...</li>
<li class="member">...</li>
<li class="member">...</li>
<li class="member">...</li>
<li class="member">...</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
I've tried setting counters and using things like if($i <= $rowcount/2), but to no avail. Any help would be greatly appreciated—I'm very new to mySQL and have limited knowledge of PHP, so this one has me stumped.

Answer 1

add a control variable like "$i". add +1 to $i every loop. and check if $i reached half of number of rows. if reached close ul and div and open new div and ul and set $i to 0
<div class="holder">
<?php
$members = $db->query('SELECT * FROM tableContacts ORDER BY lastName ASC');
$rowcount = mysqli_num_rows($members);
$i=0;
if ( $rowcount > 0 ) { ?>
<div class="members-right">
<ul class="members">
<?php while ($row = $members->fetch_assoc()) { ?>
<li class="member">
//SOME CONTENT HERE
</li>
<?php
$i++;
if($i>=($rowcount/2)){
echo '</ul></div>
<div class="members-right">
<ul class="members">';
$i=0;
}
} ?>
</ul>
</div>
<?php } ?>
</div>

Answer 2

You could use a for loop for the first half and just finish the second half with a while loop that goes until there are no more results.
First half:
for($i = 0; $i <= $rowcount/2 && $row = $members->fetch_assoc(); $i++)
Second half
while ($row = $members->fetch_assoc())
Example with HTML
<div class="members-left">
<ul class="members">
<?php for($i = 0; $i <= $rowcount/2 && $row = $members->fetch_assoc(); $i++) { ?>
<li class="member">
// do something with $row
</li>
<?php } ?>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="members-right">
<ul class="members">
<?php while ($row = $members->fetch_assoc()) { ?>
<li class="member">
// do something with $row
</li>
<?php } ?>
</ul>
</div>

Answer 3

I would recommend you to make 2 arrays of your members and then print them out. The advantage is you will have more control of the members and your code will be more readable for later use;
<?php
$i =0;
while ($row = $members->fetch_assoc()) {
if($i % 2 == 0)
{
$right_members[] = $row;
}
else
{
$left_members[] = $row;
$i++;
}
echo '
<div class="members-right">
<ul class="members">';
foreach($right members as $r_member){
echo '<li class="member">...</li>';
}
echo '
</ul>
</div>';
//SAME WITH LEFT MEMBERS
?>

Answer 4

Having a counter was an idea, I will not debate on having model logic in view ;)
well, a solution would be :
<div class="holder">
<div class="members-column">
<ul class="members">
<?php
$members = $db->query('SELECT * FROM tableContacts ORDER BY lastName ASC');
$rowcount = mysqli_num_rows($members);
$i = 0;
while ($row = $members->fetch_assoc()) {
?>
<li class="member">
//SOME CONTENT HERE
</li>
<?
// Check if current row is the 'middle count', creating a new column
if ($i === ceil($rowcount / 2)) : ?>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="members-column">
<ul class="members">
<?php endif; ?>
<?php
$i++;
}
?>
</ul>
</div>
</div>