/**
* removeDuplicates
*
* Removes duplicate items from a string using ANY delimiter.
* This generalizes the explode → array_unique → implode pattern.
*
* @param string $s The input string.
* @param string $delimiter The delimiter used to separate items.
* @return string The cleaned string with duplicates removed.
*/
function removeDuplicates(string $s, string $delimiter): string
{
// Split the string using the chosen delimiter
$parts = explode($delimiter, $s);
// Remove duplicates while preserving order
$unique = array_unique($parts);
// Reassemble using the same delimiter
return implode($delimiter, $unique);
}
// Main
$s = "AAA|aaa|aAA|aaA|AAa|AAA|BBB|CCC|AAA|aaa|aaa";
// Run the function with a custom delimiter
$result = removeDuplicates($s, "|");
echo $result;
/*
run:
AAA|aaa|aAA|aaA|AAa|BBB|CCC
*/
