So, I have an array that has 6 variables in it that I need to check against each other.. to determine what to return to the script calling the function.. All fields are of the datetime type from the database they are derived from.

the fields: in1 out1 in2 out2 in3 out3

Array:

Array(
  'in1' => '2012-04-02 10:00:00), 
  `out1` => '2012-04-02 14:00:00`,
  `in2` => '2012-04-02 14:30:00`,
  `out2` => '2012-04-02 18:00:00`,
  `in3` => NULL,
  `out3` => NULL
)

the response:

clocked_in or clocked_out

What I need to figure out is, the best way to determine if the user is clocked in or clocked out by checking against this array..

so, if in1, out1 and in2 are not NULL then the user would be clocked in.. if in1 is not NULL but out1 is NULL then the user would be clocked out, etc.. Anyone have any ideas on the easiest way to achieve this without too many if statements?

[WHAT WORKED]

for ($i=1; $i <= 3; $i++) {
    if ($entities["in$i"] != NULL) {
        $ents = "clocked_in";
        if ($entities["out$i"] != NULL) {
            $ents = "clocked_out";
        }
        if ($entities["out3"] != NULL) {
            $ents = "day_done";
        }
    }
}