Hi all,
I'm still wrapping my head around PHP and enjoying learning the language.

I have reached a part that challenges my intelligence (or lack thereof).
I would like to generate a 3 level drop down menu with the information stored in the following array.
The following array is as follows:

1. $items = array(
2. array('id' => '1', 'pid' => '0'),
3. array('id' => '2', 'pid' => '0'),
4. array('id' => '3', 'pid' => '0'),
5. array('id' => '4', 'pid' => '1'),
6. array('id' => '5', 'pid' => '1'),
7. array('id' => '6', 'pid' => '1'),
8. array('id' => '7', 'pid' => '2'),
9. array('id' => '8', 'pid' => '4')
10. );

Where 'id' index indicates its unique id and 'pid' (parent id) index indicates the parent of the element. So, in the code above, item with 'id' of 8 will be a sub-item of item 4 that is in turn a sub-item of item 1.

I would like to be able to create a series of nested ul and li items to then style with css.

I've been torturing my little brain with a series of pathetic recursive functions... all they can achieve is an infinite loop of hopelessness.

I would really love it if someone could explain how I should go about achieving this.

Many thanks in advance,
Frank

Why not create a nested array mirroring the hierarchy of the menu?

Something like...

PHP Code:


$item = array( 
     array('id' => '1', 'subItems' => array( 'id' => '3', 'id' => '4') )
) 


something along those lines anyway. Then you can just loop down the levels...

Thank you Disco Stu for squeezing in such a helpful reply, I know how hectic the Disco life can be.

I hadn't thought of that. I'll give it a go and get back to you.

To expand on Stuarts post:

PHP Code:

<?php
$items = array();
/*
  The format would be set as:
  $item[parent_id] = array(id)
*/
$items[0] = array(1, 2, 3);
$items[1] = array(4, 5, 6);
$items[2] = array(7);
$items[3] = array();
$items[4] = array(8);

print_r($items);
/*
  Output would be:
  
Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
            [1] => 2
            [2] => 3
        )
    [1] => Array
        (
            [0] => 4
            [1] => 5
            [2] => 6
        )
    [2] => Array
        (
            [0] => 7
        )
    [3] => Array
        (
        )
    [4] => Array
        (
            [0] => 8
        )
)
*/