PHP date_parse_from_format( ) alternative in PHP 5.2

Question

Since date_parse_from_format( ) is available only in PHP 5.3, I need to write a function that mimics its behaviour in PHP 5.2.

Is it possible to write this function

Answer 1

'hour',
    'i'=>'minute',
    's'=>'second',
    'y'=>'year',
    'm'=>'month',
    'd'=>'day'
  );
  $format = preg_split('//', $format, -1, PREG_SPLIT_NO_EMPTY); 
  $date = preg_split('//', $date, -1, PREG_SPLIT_NO_EMPTY); 
  foreach ($date as $k => $v) {
    if ($dMask[$format[$k]]) $dt[$dMask[$format[$k]]] .= $v;
  }
  return $dt;
}
?>

Example 1:

Output 1:

Array ( [month] => 03 [day] => 23 [year] => 2011 )

Example 2:

Output 2:

Array ( [year] => 2011 [month] => 03 [day] => 23 [hour] => 12 [minute] => 03 [second] => 00 )