PHP Tips for Developers from AjaMyAjax

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PHP Examples for Developers

Example #1 simple xml recursive node listing routine:

How about a recursive function to reduce the xml hard-coding in your apps?
Here is a listing routine as an example:

<?php
function list_xml($str) {
  $root = simplexml_load_string($str);
  list_node($root);
}

function list_node($node) {
  foreach ($node as $element) {
    echo $element. "\n";
    if ($element->children()) {
      echo "<br/>";
      list_node($element);
    }
  }
}
?>

Example #2 simple curl_exec() routine with a twist:

I use the familiar http response status code returned from curl_getinfo()
to put either data, or a custom error message (+ curl_error()) into
a single string. I find this useful when the response ends up in a <div>
or <span> tag.

<?php
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
...

$output = curl_exec($ch);
$info = curl_getinfo($ch);

if ($output === false || $info['http_code'] != 200) {
  $output = "No cURL data returned for $url [". $info['http_code']. "]";
  if (curl_error($ch))
    $output .= "\n". curl_error($ch);
  }
else {
  // 'OK' status; format $output data if necessary here:
  ...
}
// then return or display the single string $output
?>

Example #3 html file tag listing:

Try this html listing example for all nodes which
includes a few getElementsByTagName options:

/** Change Log **
** $DOCUMENT_ROOT produces a warning message
** in PHP 5.2.8 (Undefined variable: DOCUMENT_ROOT)
** so syntax changed to $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT']
*/

<?php
$file = $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT']. "test.html";
$doc = new DOMDocument();
$doc->loadHTMLFile($file);

// example 1:
$elements = $doc->getElementsByTagName('*');
// example 2:
$elements = $doc->getElementsByTagName('html');
// example 3:
//$elements = $doc->getElementsByTagName('body');
// example 4:
//$elements = $doc->getElementsByTagName('table');
// example 5:
//$elements = $doc->getElementsByTagName('div');

if (!is_null($elements)) {
  foreach ($elements as $element) {
    echo "<br/>". $element->nodeName. ": ";

    $nodes = $element->childNodes;
    foreach ($nodes as $node) {
      echo $node->nodeValue. "\n";
    }
  }
}
?>

Example #4 html data select:

To retrieve selected html data, try these DomXPath examples:

/** Change Log **
** $DOCUMENT_ROOT produces a warning message
** in PHP 5.2.8 (Undefined variable: DOCUMENT_ROOT)
** so syntax changed to $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT']
*/

<?php
$file = $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT']. "test.html";
$doc = new DOMDocument();
$doc->loadHTMLFile($file);

$xpath = new DOMXpath($doc);

// example 1: for everything with an id
//$elements = $xpath->query("//*[@id]");

// example 2: for node data in a selected id
//$elements = $xpath->query("/html/body/div[@id='yourTagIdHere']");

// example 3: same as above with wildcard
$elements = $xpath->query("*/div[@id='yourTagIdHere']");

if (!is_null($elements)) {
  foreach ($elements as $element) {
    echo "<br/>[". $element->nodeName. "]";

    $nodes = $element->childNodes;
    foreach ($nodes as $node) {
      echo $node->nodeValue. "\n";
    }
  }
}
?>

Example #5 php ming sprite/movie stop tip:

To stop ming swf "flash" animation where you want, try these examples:

<?php
// tip: if you want to STOP an animation using SWFAction(),
// add a nextFrame() method immediately after, like this:

$p = new SWFSprite();
// ...
$i->rotate(15);
$p->nextFrame();
// ...
$p->add(new SWFAction("stop();"));
$p->nextFrame();  // stops right here
//(eop)

// this also seems to work, stopping a movie *exactly* where you want
// but only if not using SWFSprite() movie clips... then try the above.
$m->add(new SWFAction("stop();"));
$m->nextFrame();
//(eop)

// also: setFrames(n) doesn't seem to stop animation immediately...
// by design, or perhaps a current version/older release bug(?)
// the above was only tested with Ming 0.3beta1.  hope this helps.
?>

Example #6 random decimal number routine:

Try these php routines if you need a random decimal number:

just another example: both of these routines return a random decimal
number between -1 and 1...  since rand() only returns a max 'integer' value
while mt_rand() return a max 'long' value -- at least on some platforms --

mt_rand() could be the better precision choice for some on any variation
(but i don't think it matters here):

<?php
echo "-1 to 1 rand() value: ".
  (rand(getrandmax()*-1,getrandmax())/getrandmax()). "\n<br/>";
echo "-1 to 1 mt_rand() value: ".
  (mt_rand(mt_getrandmax()*-1,mt_getrandmax())/mt_getrandmax()). "\n";
?>

Example #7 php ming flash dissolve example:

Try this morph routine technique to dissolve a shape:

<?php
  // looks like SWFMorph() can also be used to DISSOLVE a shape...
  // Shape2's fill below is set to same movie setBackground() color,
  // and its setLine() parameter #1 for weight is set to zero.
  // smaller seems to look a little better with this also...

  $rbg = 0x66; // 102
  $gbg = 0x99; // 153
  $bbg = 0xCD; // 205

  $p = new SWFMorph();

  $s = $p->getShape1();
  $s->setLine(0, 0, 0, 0);
  $s->setLeftFill($s->addFill(0xff, 0, 0));
  $s->movePenTo(-1000,-1000);
  $s->drawLine(2000,0);
  $s->drawLine(0,2000);
  $s->drawLine(-2000,0);
  $s->drawLine(0,-2000);

  $s = $p->getShape2();
  $s->setLine(0,0,0,0);  // changed from (60,0,0,0)
  $s->setLeftFill($s->addFill($rbg, $gbg, $bbg));  // new color to match
  $s->movePenTo(0,-1000);
  $s->drawLine(1000,1000);
  $s->drawLine(-1000,1000);
  $s->drawLine(-1000,-1000);
  $s->drawLine(1000,-1000);

  $m = new SWFMovie();
  $m->setDimension(6000,4000);
  $m->setBackground($rbg, $gbg, $bbg);

  $i = $m->add($p);
  $i->moveTo(3000,2000);

  for ($r=0.0; $r<=1.0; $r+=0.1) {
    $i->setRatio($r);
    $m->nextFrame();
  }
  $m->add(new SWFAction("stop();"));
  $m->nextFrame();

  header('Content-type: application/x-shockwave-flash');
  $m->output();
?>

Example #8 php ming flash shadow example:

Try this technique to add a shadow to any rectangle:

/** Change Log **
** Note Ming Flash 0.4.2beta compatibility changes...
*/

<?php
// php ming swf flash movie example --
// this routine simply adds a shadow, text, and movement to a rectangle shape.
// for a dissolve effect using swfmorph, see this add'l note:
// http://www.php.net/manual/en/function.swfmorph.construct.php

$lineweight = 3;
$linered = 102;
$linegreen = 102;
$lineblue = 255;

$fillred = 204;
$fillgreen = 204;
$fillblue = 255;
$rectlinelen = 200;

$shadowred = 153;
$shadowgreen = 153;
$shadowblue = 153;
$shadowoffset = 3;

$x = 100;
$y = 150;

$m = new SWFMovie();
$m->setDimension(640,480);
$m->setBackground(235,235,235);
$m->setRate(65);

$is = $m->add(shadowrectShape(true));
$i = $m->add(rectShape(true));

$text = "Shadow Play...";
$its = $m->add(textField($text, 15, $shadowred, $shadowgreen, $shadowblue));
$it = $m->add(textField($text, 15, $linered-25, $linegreen, $lineblue));

$is->moveTo($x+$shadowoffset,$y+$shadowoffset);
$i->moveTo($x,$y);  // starting x,y for rectangle
$its->moveTo($x+15+1,$y+15+1);  // only a minimal shadow for text...
$it->moveTo($x+15,$y+15);

for ($n=0; $n < 75; $n++) {
  $is->move(2.05, 0.05);  // rectangle's shadow, lengthens as it moves
  $i->move(2,0);  // original rectangle
  $its->move(2, 0.01);  // text shadow
  $it->move(2,0);  // text
  $m->nextFrame();
}

$m->add(new SWFAction("stop();"));
$m->nextFrame();

// $m->save("shadow.swf");

header('Content-type: application/x-shockwave-flash');
$m->output();
?>

<?php
function rectShape($addfill) {
  global $lineweight, $linered, $linegreen, $lineblue;
  global $fillred, $fillgreen, $fillblue, $rectlinelen;

  $s = new SWFShape();
  $s->setLine($lineweight, $linered, $linegreen, $lineblue);
  if ($addfill) {
    $s->setRightFill($s->addFill($fillred, $fillgreen, $fillblue));
  }
  $s->drawLine($rectlinelen, 0);
  $s->drawLine(0, $rectlinelen);
  $s->drawLine(-$rectlinelen, 0);
  $s->drawLine(0, -$rectlinelen);
  return $s;
}

function shadowrectShape($addfill) {
  global $lineweight, $rectlinelen;
  global $shadowoffset, $shadowred, $shadowgreen, $shadowblue;

  $s = new SWFShape();
  $s->setLine($lineweight, $shadowred, $shadowgreen, $shadowblue);
  if ($addfill) {
    $s->setRightFill($s->addFill($shadowred, $shadowgreen, $shadowblue));
  }
  $s->drawLine($rectlinelen+$shadowoffset, 0);
  $s->drawLine(0, $rectlinelen+$shadowoffset);
  $s->drawLine(-$rectlinelen-$shadowoffset, 0);
  $s->drawLine(0, -$rectlinelen-$shadowoffset);
  return $s;
}

function textField($strtext, $intheight, $textred, $textgreen, $textblue) {
// Ming 0.4.2beta compatible:
    $t = new SWFTextField(0);
// Ming 0.3beta compatible:
//  $t = new SWFTextField();

// Ming 0.4.2beta compatible:
  $f = new SWFBrowserFont("Bitstream Vera Serif.fdb");
  $t = new SWFTextField(0);
  $t->setFont($f);  
// Ming 0.3beta compatible:
//  $t->setFont(new SWFFont('Default'));
// or try this instead:
//  $t = new SWFText();
//  $f = new SWFFont("Bitstream Vera Sans.fdb");
//  $t->setFont($f);
  $t->setColor($textred, $textgreen, $textblue);
  $t->addString($strtext);
  $t->setHeight($intheight);
  return $t;
}
?>

Example #9 php ming flash wipe/fade example:

Try this effect with any sprite or movie clip routine:

/** Change Log **
** Note Ming Flash 0.4.2beta compatibility changes...
*/

<?php
// php ming swf flash movie example #2 --
// this routine displays several wipe/fade transitional effects

// Ming 0.4.2beta compatible:
  $f = new SWFBrowserFont("Bitstream Vera Serif.fdb");
// Ming 0.3beta compatible:
//  $f = new SWFFont("Bitstream Vera Serif.fdb");

  $m = new SWFMovie();
  $m->setDimension(640, 480);
  $m->setBackground(0, 255, 153);
  $m->setRate(9);

  $p = movieclip("First...", 0, 255, 255, 100, 50, 25, 7);
  $i = $m->add($p);
  $p = movieclip("Second...", 102, 0, 102, 100, 170, 18, 5);
  $i = $m->add($p);
  $p = movieclip("Third...", 255, 0, 51, 100, 290, 30, 6);
  $i = $m->add($p);

//  $m->save("wfeffect.swf");

  header('Content-type: application/x-shockwave-flash');
  $m->output();
?>

<?php
  function movieclip($txt, $r, $g, $b, $x, $y, $sv, $mv) {
    global $f;

    $s = new SWFShape();
    $s->setLine(1,0,0,255); // (line weight, r, g, b)
    $s->setRightFill(255,255,0);
    $s->drawLine(170,0);
    $s->drawLine(0,60);
    $s->drawLine(-170,0);
    $s->drawLine(0,-60);

// Ming 0.4.2beta compatible:
    $t = new SWFTextField(0);
// Ming 0.3beta compatible:
//    $t = new SWFText();
    $t->setFont($f);
    $t->setColor($r, $g, $b);
    $t->setHeight(17);
    $t->addString($txt);

    $p = new SWFSprite();
    $is = $p->add($s);
    // works with images also:
//    $is = $p->add(new SWFBitMap(fopen("/images/yourbmp.jpg", "rb")));

    $it = $p->add($t);

    $is->moveTo($x, $y);
    $it->moveTo($x+10, $y+20);

    // adjust movement left with a compensating move
    // right ($i->move()), to change look of this effect:
    // note: setting the scaleTo() $y parameter to 0 didn't help(?)
    // fixed in later versions?  only tested with Ming 0.3beta1.
    $scaleLeftValue = $sv;
    $moveRightValue = $scaleLeftValue/$mv;

    for ($n=1; $n < $scaleLeftValue; $n++) {
      $is->scaleTo(1-($n/$scaleLeftValue), 1);
      $it->scaleTo(1-($n/$scaleLeftValue), 1);
      $is->move($moveRightValue, 0);

      // fade text color to add to effect:
      if ($n <= 10) {
        $it->addColor(10*$n, 10*$n, 10*$n);
      }
      // try to keep text in bounds
      if ($n < $scaleLeftValue - 2) {
        $it->move($moveRightValue, 0);
      }
      $p->nextframe();
    }
    $p->remove($is);  // remove() causes item to disappear
    $p->remove($it);  // which is exactly what we want here
    $p->nextFrame();

    $p->add(new SWFAction("stop();"));
    $p->nextFrame();
    return $p;
  }
?>

Example #10 php ming flash ticker example:

Try this effect to add a ticker/banner/scrolling text display:
(called from another routine that passes text, color values, and text height)

<?php
  // optional, set swf flash version:
//  ming_useswfversion(7);

  // these + a few more free fonts available from http://www.libming.org
  $f = new SWFFont("Bitstream Vera Sans.fdb");
//  $f = new SWFFont("Bitstream Vera Serif.fdb");

  $t = addticker($tickertext, $red, $green, $blue, $height);

  $m = new SWFMovie();
  // ticker display area dimensions are wide and short:
  $m->setDimension(900, 25);
  // movie play rate of speed
  $m->setRate(45);

  // if text is white or almost white, set background color to...
  if ($red >= 200 && $green >= 200 && $blue >= 200) {
    $m->setBackground(0, 0, 0); // black
  }

  // add news ticker text item:
  $i = $m->add($t);

  // ticker starting screen position is wide right:
  $i->moveTo(875, 17);

  // then scrolls to the left using relative move:
  for ($n=1; $n <= 2100; $n++) {
    $i->move(-1, 0);
    $m->nextFrame();
  }

  // saves movie in swf file:
  $m->save("yourticker.swf");

  // displays swf:
  header('Content-Type: application/x-shockwave-flash');
  $m->output();
?>

<?php
  function addticker($txt, $r, $g, $b, $h) {
    global $f;

    $t = new SWFText();
    $t->setFont($f);

    $t->setColor($r, $g, $b);
    $t->setHeight($h);
    $t->addString($txt);
    return $t;
  }
?>

Example #11 php ming CAPTCHA* simulation:

(* CAPTCHA is a trademark of Carnegie Mellon University)

/** Change Log **
** Note Ming Flash 0.4.2beta compatibility changes...
*/

<?php
// php ming 'challenge response' style text to graphics routine --
// (example only; any use for input validation is up to you, however
//  this image can be displayed on text pages in an html iframe)

  $f = new SWFFont("Bitstream Vera Serif.fdb");

  $m = new SWFMovie();
  $m->setDimension(500, 150);
  $m->setBackground(255, 255, 255);

  for ($r=0; $r < 6; $r++) {
    // random char selected from range: '2-9', 'A-Z', 'a-z'
    switch (rand(0,2)) {
      case 0:
        $c = chr(rand(50,57));
        break;
      case 1:
        $c = chr(rand(65,90));
        break;
      case 2:
        $c = chr(rand(97,122));
        break;
    }
    $p = convertchar($c);
    $i = $m->add($p);
  }
  $i->setDepth(1);

  header('Content-type: application/x-shockwave-flash');
  $m->output();
?>

<?php
  function convertchar($txt) {
    global $f;
    static $x=10, $y=5;

    $s = new SWFShape();
    $s->setLine(rand(0,1),125,125,200); // (line weight, r, g, b)
    $s->drawLine(rand(15,25),0);

    $t = new SWFText();
    $t->setFont($f);
    $t->setColor(15, 15, 195);
    $t->setHeight(40);
    $t->addString($txt);

    $p = new SWFSprite();
    $is = $p->add($s);

    $it = $p->add($t);

// (y-axis offset changed below for ming 0.42beta) 
    $is->move($x,$y+20);  // lines thru char
    $it->move($x,$y);
    $x+=75;

    // all chars adjusted in a slightly random manner
// (text adjustments below work in ming 0.3 but not in ming 0.42beta)       
    $rs = rand(-1,1);
    for ($n=0; $n < 3; $n++) {
//      $it->scaleTo($n, 1);
      $is->scaleTo($n, 1);

//      $it->rotate($rs);
      $is->rotate($rs);

//      $it->skewx(-$rs/10);
      $is->skewx(-$rs/10);

//      $it->skewy($rs/10);
      $is->skewy($rs/10);
      $p->nextframe();
    }

    $p->add(new SWFAction("stop();"));
    $p->nextFrame();
    return $p;
  }
?>

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