PHP parse string as condition operator -

i have form user can create own condition. e.g

<select name="operator">     <option value="==">(==) equal</option>     <option value="!=">(!=) - not equal</option>     <option value="&gt;">(&gt;) - greater than</option>     <option value="&lt;">(&lt;) - less than</option>     <option value="&gt;=">(&gt;=) - greater or equal </option>     <option value="&lt;=">(&lt;=) - less or equal </option> </select> 

how parse operator string php interprets condition operator?

if($column $operator $value){  } 

the long winded way of doing this:

switch($operator){     case '!=':         if($column != $value){          }     break;     case '<=':     case '&lt;=':         if($column <= $value){          }     break; } 

the way use eval evaluates string php code.

using eval not recommended security reasons. current approach using switch best solution. other option using if statements in similar manner.