PHP Compare Array Values for Validation -

ok, have pretty customized question bear me.

i have 2 sets of data want compare lot of different possibilities.

$data  = array(              'object'=>'ball', // should check valid (rule 2)              'color'=>'white', // valid (rule 2)              'heavy'=>'no',    // valid (rule 1)              'name'=>'wilson', // valid (rule 5)              'funny'=>'no'     // invalid (rule 4)               );  $data_2 = array(              'object'=>'box',   // valid (rule 2)              'color'=> 'blue',  // valid (rule 2)              'texture'=>'hard', // valid (rule 1)              'heavy'=>'yes',    // invalid (rule 4)              'stupid'=>'no'     // invalid (rule 4)                                 // name invalid because missing (rule 3)  );  $required = array(              'color'=>array('white','blue'),              'heavy'=> 'no',              'name' );  $errors = array(          'color'=>array('required'=>'color required','invalid'=>'color invalid')          'object'=>array('invalid'=>'object invalid'),          'texture'=>array('invalid'=>'texture invalid'),          'heavy'=>array('required'=>'heavy required','invalid'=>'heavy invalid'),          'name'=>array('required'=>'name required','max_char'=>'name exceeds char limit',          'invalid'=>'invalid item provided',           );  $blueprint = array(                  'object'=>array('box','ball'),                  'color'=>array('blue','white'),                  'texture'=>'hard',                  'heavy'=>'no',                  'name'              ); 

what want run $data through $blueprint , make sure of following:

1. if $data key/value pair matches $blueprint key/value pair, $data's k/v valid
2. if $data key/value pair matches $blueprint key , value nested array, $data's k/v valid
3. if $data array omits key/value pair exists in $blueprint, $data's k/v may still valid if not located in $required array
4. if $data array supplies key/value pair not exist in $blueprint, $data's k/v invalid
5. if $data key key/value pair matches $blueprint value without defined key, $data's k/v can still valid. however, if $blueprint has both key , value defined, $data's k/v must meet requirements of rule 1 valid.
6. i'd impose character limit on several of $blueprint k/v if $data's k/v exceeds character limit, $datas k/v not valid

if $data's k/v invalid, i'd somehow associate error particular k/v describing why invalid (surpassed character limit, general error etc.) perhaps error defined in third array?

i've looked array_intersect_assoc not sure if beyond scope of function. also, there amount of values in $blueprint, need versatile possible.

i think right, brain sort of melted while writing this, please don't hesitate ask if confused. better off validating each k/v individually?

let's see brainiac out there.

i feel sort of silly, here's brute force method. #6 free because it's not 'in' array in sense.

foreach ($data $k => $v) {     if (empty($blueprint[$k])) {         // (3) data defines key isn't defined in blueprint.     } else {         if (is_array($blueprint[$k])) {             if (in_array($v, $blueprint[$k])) {                 // (2) data defines valid value in blueprint list.             } else {                 // (also 4) data defines value not in blueprint list.             }         } else if ($v == $blueprint[$k]) {             // (1) data defines value in blueprint.         } else if (in_array($v, $blueprint)) {             // (5) data in blueprint without key.         } else {             // (4) data invalid.         }     } } 

edit: loop checking if $blueprint has key $data doesn't define. there should toggle make sure @ necessary (in previous block) before running it.

foreach ($blueprint $k => $v) {     if (empty($data[$k])) {         // (6) data doesn't have required key blueprint.     } }