PHP str_replace() with a limit param?

Question

str_replace replaces all occurrences of a word with a replacement.

preg_replace replaces occurrences of a pattern with a replacement and ta

Answer 1

function str_replace2($find, $replacement, $subject, $limit = 0){
  if ($limit == 0)
    return str_replace($find, $replacement, $subject);
  $ptn = '/' . preg_quote($find,'/') . '/';
  return preg_replace($ptn, $replacement, $subject, $limit);
}

That will allow you to place a limit on the number of replaces. Strings should be escaped using preg_quote to make sure any special characters aren't interpreted as a pattern character.

Demo, BTW

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In case you're interested, here's a version that includes the &$count argument:

function str_replace2($find, $replacement, $subject, $limit = 0, &$count = 0){
  if ($limit == 0)
    return str_replace($find, $replacement, $subject, $count);
  $ptn = '/' . preg_quote($find,'/') . '/';
  return preg_replace($ptn, $replacement, $subject, $limit, $count);
}