check string in array for special characters - php

Question

I have got an array wich contains several strings like this:
array(133) {
[0]=>
array(1) {
["row"]=>
array(5) {
[0]=>
string(10) "testd ' /% ata"
[1]=>
string(14) "testdata 111"
[2]=>
string(17) "testdata 123"
[3]=>
string(0) ""
[4]=>
string(0) ""
}
}
[1]=>
array(1) {
["row"]=>
array(5) {
[0]=>
string(9) "198"
[1]=>
string(14) "testdata"
[2]=>
string(41) "testdat"
[3]=>
string(0) ""
[4]=>
string(0) ""
}
}
My question is how can I check the strings within the array on special chars? These special chars are causing a syntax error when importing into my DB.
I think i need to use something like this?
preg_replace('/[^a-zA-Z0-9_ -%][().][\/]/s', '', $String);
Can anyone help me on this one?
Allright nog i have created this piece of code:
// search for special chars in the import data and remove them
$illegal = "#$%^&*()+=-[]';,./{}|:<>?~";
foreach ($data_set as $data)
foreach ($data_set['data'] as $row) {
if(strpbrk($row, $illegal)) {
echo($row);
die();
}
else {
//not allowed ,escape or do what you want
echo("no characters found");
die();
}
var_dump($row);
die();
}
But this still gives an error:
A PHP Error was encountered
Severity: Warning
Message: strpbrk() expects parameter 1 to be string, array given
Filename: controllers/import.php
Line Number: 153
no characters found

Answer 1

You may have a look at strpbrk. It should solve your problem.
Example:
$tests = "testd ' /% ata";
);
$illegal = "#$%^&*()+=-[]';,./{}|:<>?~";
echo (false === strpbrk($test, $illegal)) ? 'Allowed' : "Contains special chars";
But i suggest to escape your strings before inserting to database,it's much safer.
foreach ($yourArray as $array)
foreach ($array['row'] as $row) {
if(strpbrk($row, $illegal)) {
//allowed ,insert to db
}
else {
//not allowed ,escape or do what you want
}
}