Check if Variables Are Set

php

Solution

Use a loop and variable-variables.

$fields = array('author', 'book', 'subtitle', ....);
foreach($fields as $field) {
   if (isset($_POST[$field])) {
      $$field = $_POST[$field]; // variable variable - ugly, but gets the job done
   } else {
      $$field = 'not available';
   }
}

Problem

What is the most efficient way of checking whether POST variables have been set or not? Eg, I am collecting 10 variables from Page 1, if they are set I would like to store that data on Page 2. If not, I would like to assign 'not available'. I am currently using `if !empty`, however it seems like there must be an easier/more efficient method, I'm quite new to php so any advice is appreciated. Example code; ``` if (!empty($_POST["book"])) { $book= $_POST['book']; }else{ $book= 'not available'; } if (!empty($_POST["author"])) { $author = $_POST['author']; }else{ $author= 'not available'; } if (!empty($_POST["subtitle"])) { $subtitle= $_POST['subtitle']; }else{ $subtitle= 'not available'; } etc... etc... etc... ```

Original source