How to truncate some of data before entry into database?

[NETSYNC]

Hello all.

 

I am finishing up a paypal IPN php script and was wondering how I can take some data and cut some of it off before I enter it into the mysql database?

 

Heres what I have.

 

$payment_date = HH:MM:SS DD Mmm YY, YYYY PST

 

This comes from paypal.  I want to in my code take that and automatically cut off the HH:MM:SS part.

 

So my question is, how can I take a known piece of data and automatically trim the first 9 spots off of it?

 

Something like:

 

$payment_date = HH:MM:SS DD Mmm YY, YYYY PST

Minus 1 thru 9 of $payment_date = $result

$payment_date2 = $result

 

Any help?  Thanks!

 

[marcus]

<?php
$s = 'HH:MM:SS DD Mmm YY, YYYY PST';
$e = explode(' ',$s,2);
$first_part = $e[0];
$secnd_part = $e[1];
?>

[NETSYNC]

Thanks very much for the reply and help.

 

Let me see if I understand this.

 

$s = 'HH:MM:SS DD Mmm YY, YYYY PST';

We are defining a variable to the data I pulled

 

$e = explode(' ',$s,2);

Are we here opening the data from above and saying at the first _space_ break it into 2?

 

$first_part = $e[0];

$secnd_part = $e[1];

Here we are creating a variable for the first part and the second part from above.  first part would be HH:MM:SS.  Second part is the rest?

 

I think I understand it.  Let me know if I am on the right track.  I am learning.  =)

[marcus]

What I did was took your example of the timestamp being used. You want to rid of the HH:MM:SS, so by splitting up your string (using explode) and limiting it to 2 outcomes we are able to make two separate strings, one that is HH:MM:SS and one that is DD Mmm YY, YYYY PST.

[NETSYNC]

Thanks.  But the only part I am trying to understand is, what determines WHERE it splits in 2?  Is that what the " " is?  Saying at the first SPACE?

[marcus]

If we didn't use the third parameter of 2 in the explode call we would be splitting the string into n pieces when a string comes up. But since we only want 2 it will only split the string into 2 parts, one that is the data before the first space and another that is the data after the first space.

[NETSYNC]

Thanks very much.  I appreciate taking the time to help AND to explain it.