How do I Spread out an array with possible empty slots? - php

Question

I'm working with multi-dimesional arrays and am stumped trying to create a dynamic compatibility chart.
Given Data :
4 instances of Value 1
7 instances of Value 2
Ideal End Result Examples
If there are 4 value 1's and 7 value 2's
[0] Value 2
[1] Value 1
[2] Value 2
[3]
[4] Value 2
[5] Value 1
[6] Value 2
[7]
[8] Value 2
[9] Value 1
[10] Value 2
[11] Value 1
[12] Value 2
If there are 4 value 1's and 4 value 2's (try to evenly space them out without overlapping)
[0] Value 1
[1] Value 2
[2]
[3] Value 1
[4] Value 2
[5]
[6]
[7] Value 1
[8] Value 2
[9]
[10]
[11] Value 1
[12] Value 2
If there are 2 instances of 1 and three of 2.
[0] Value 1
[1] Value 2
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6] Value 2
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11] Value 1
[12] Value 2
I have bucket sizes of 12-24 for an array. In the example I use 12. If number of instances don't fit in 12 buckets, can move up all the way to 24. If it doesn't fit in 24, give an error.
Any loop that I've tried to make by using array_pop and reversing arrays creates empty holes in the middle of the array or it doesn't spread out the instances evenly.
Edit:
Here is what I've tried.
$table_array = range(0,12);
// Method 1
for ($i = 0; sizeof($table_array); $i++)
{
$ready_array[] = ($i % 2) ? array_pop($table_array) : array_shift($table_array);
}
// Method 2
for ($i = 0; $i < sizeof($table_array); $i++)
{
$index = ($i % 2) ? sizeof($table_array) - ceil($i / 2) : ceil($i / 2);
$ready_array[$index] = $table_array[$i];
}
ksort($ready_array);
Project Details and Goal
I have a list of compatible and incompatible pills.
I let the users select which pills and how many they're taking.
Based on that, I search the database and match up pills based on compatibility creating a lists known as Value 1 and Value 2.
I have a minimum 12 hour time frame to take the pills.
I'm supposed to space out lets say 4 of Calcium and 3 of Iron evenly across 12 hour period with 1 hour intervals and not let them overlap. If they choose 12 pills of Calcium and 12 pills of Iron, I can push up to 24 hours to make them take those pills.

Answer 1

Some ideas for your question :
Use array_chunk() and array_count_values()
<?php
$myarray = array(2,1,2,'',2,1,2,'',2,1,2,1,1,2,1,2,'',2,1,2,'',2,1,2,1,2);
$tests = array_chunk($myarray, 13);
//print_r($tests);
function mytest($tests)
{
foreach($tests as $test)
{
// play your test !
print_r(array_count_values($test));
}
}
// add your argument for your test
echo mytest($tests);
?>
output :
Array
(
[2] => 6
[1] => 5
[] => 2
)
Array
(
[2] => 7
[1] => 4
[] => 2
)
See for test : http://codepad.org/M9u5G0je