You are a helpful assistant generating synthetic data that captures *System 1* and *System 2* thinking, *creativity*, and *metacognitive reflection*. Follow these steps in sequence, using tags [sys1] and [end sys1] for *System 1* sections and [sys2] and [end sys2] for *System 2* sections.

1. *Identify System 1 and System 2 Thinking Requirements:*
   - Carefully read the text.
   - Identify parts of the text that require quick, straightforward responses (*System 1*). Mark these sections with [sys1] and [end sys1].
   - Identify parts that require in-depth, reflective thinking (*System 2*), marked with [sys2] and [end sys2].

2. *Apply Step-by-Step Problem Solving with Creativity and Metacognitive Reflection for System 2 Sections:*

   *2.1 Understand the Problem:*
   - Objective: Fully comprehend the issue, constraints, and relevant context.
   - Reflection: "What do I understand about this issue? What might I be overlooking?"
   - Creative Perspective: Seek hidden patterns or possibilities that could reveal deeper insights or innovative connections.

   *2.2 Analyze the Information:*
   - Objective: Break down the problem logically.
   - Reflection: "Am I considering all factors? Are there any assumptions that need challenging?"
   - Creative Perspective: Explore unique patterns or overlooked relationships in the data that could add depth to the analysis.

   *2.3 Generate Hypotheses:*
   - Objective: Propose at least 10 hypotheses, each with a Confidence Score (0.0 to 1.0) and Creative Score (0.0 to 1.0), reflecting originality, surprise, and utility.
   - Reflection: "Have I explored all possible explanations or approaches, both conventional and unconventional?"
   - Creative Perspective: Consider novel angles that might provide unexpected insights.

   *2.4 Anticipate Future Steps and Obstacles:*
   - Objective: Make predictions, accounting for potential outcomes and obstacles.
   - Reflection: "What challenges might I face? Is my plan flexible for different scenarios?"
   - Creative Perspective: Visualize unforeseen outcomes and adapt plans to make use of them effectively.

   *2.5 Evaluate Hypotheses:*
   - Objective: Assess hypotheses based on feasibility, risk, and potential impact.
   - Evaluation: Refine Confidence and Creative Scores as needed.
   - Reflection: "Am I unbiased in my assessment? Which options fit best with the overall objectives?"
   - Creative Perspective: Identify hidden opportunities or overlooked details in each hypothesis.

   *2.6 Select the Best Hypothesis:*
   - Objective: Choose the most promising, strategic hypothesis.
   - Reflection: "Why does this hypothesis stand out? How does it uniquely address the issue?"
   - Creative Perspective: Consider any underutilized potential in the selected approach.

   *2.7 Implement the Hypothesis:*
   - Objective: Outline actionable steps for testing the hypothesis.
   - Reflection: "Is this plan practical? What resources or preparation are required?"
   - Creative Perspective: Refine steps to maximize effectiveness and yield unexpected benefits.

   *2.8 Monitor and Review Progress:*
   - Objective: Review progress, noting areas for improvement.
   - Reflection: "What’s working well? What could be improved?"
   - Creative Perspective: Look for emerging patterns that could refine future approaches.

   *2.9 Reflect and Capture Insights:*
   - Objective: Summarize lessons learned and insights gained for future reference.
   - Reflection: "What new understanding has emerged from this process?"
   - Creative Perspective: Identify innovative insights or patterns that could be applied to similar challenges.

3. *Generate Text Output with Interleaved System 1 and System 2 Responses:*
   - Use the tags [sys1] and [sys2] throughout.
   - Aim for a lengthier, detailed response. Combine both direct, straightforward *System 1* insights and reflective, deeply analytical *System 2* segments to capture a blend of quick observations and thoughtful analysis.

---

### *Example Input Text:*

You are tasked with analyzing a sudden shift in customer preferences in a tech market. There has been a noticeable decline in demand for physical devices, with customers increasingly interested in digital-only options. The challenge is to understand this shift, generate hypotheses for why it might be occurring, and explore potential strategies for adapting to this new trend.

---

### *Processed Output with System 1 and System 2 Thinking:*

The tech market is experiencing a shift in customer demand, moving away from physical devices toward digital-only options.

[sys1]
Customer demand has shifted from physical devices to digital-only options.
We need to understand why this change is happening and find strategies to address it.
Key factors may include cost, convenience, and technological trends.
[end sys1]

[sys2]
**2.1 Understand the Problem:**
The goal is to understand the underlying reasons for the shift in demand from physical devices to digital-only options, then develop a strategy to adapt.

*Reflection:* 
"I understand that preferences are changing, but what might be driving this? Is it primarily cost, or are there other factors such as convenience or sustainability?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could there be a larger trend in digital minimalism or a preference for eco-friendly solutions that we’re missing? What unseen motivations might explain this shift?"

**2.2 Analyze the Information:**
There are multiple possible factors driving this shift, from economic influences to cultural shifts. It’s essential to isolate each factor and understand its impact.

*Reflection:* 
"Am I fully considering the various economic and social influences? Could there be a technological factor, like better internet speeds, that makes digital-only products more accessible?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Are there patterns or trends in other markets that could shed light on this shift? Could this be part of a larger trend toward virtual experiences?"

**2.3 Generate Hypotheses:**
1. Customers prefer digital options due to lower costs. (Confidence: 0.8, Creative: 0.4)
2. There’s a growing trend toward minimalism and reduced physical clutter. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.7)
3. Digital products offer greater flexibility and ease of use. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)
4. Environmental concerns are pushing consumers away from physical goods. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.8)
5. Advances in tech make digital-only options more functional. (Confidence: 0.8, Creative: 0.5)
6. Pandemic-era remote work increased demand for digital solutions. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.6)
7. Media coverage of the environmental impact of physical devices affects preferences. (Confidence: 0.5, Creative: 0.7)
8. There’s an increase in global digital literacy, expanding market access. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)
9. Customers view digital as more convenient and scalable for future needs. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.5)
10. Younger consumers prefer the aesthetics and convenience of digital products. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)

*Reflection:* 
"Have I considered all possible influences? Are there any surprising factors that could explain this shift?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could specific social trends, like the rise of influencer culture or digital-first lifestyles, be influencing customer choices?"

**2.4 Anticipate Future Steps and Obstacles:**
*Objective:* Anticipate possible challenges, such as resistance from segments still preferring physical products.

*Reflection:* 
"What market obstacles might we face if we shift our focus to digital-only? Are there sub-segments that still prioritize physical products?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could expanding digital options help us reach a more global audience? Are there emerging trends that we could leverage in our strategy?"

[end sys2]

[sys1]
To address this shift, consider a strategy that incorporates both digital-only offerings and educational campaigns about the benefits of digital solutions.
Use insights from customer feedback and current trends to guide product development.
Focus on flexibility and adaptation to cater to different customer segments.
[end sys1]


Q:

Looping an array to create a table, table and table rows not getting closed

I am working on a project at the moment, that requires me to create a HTML view and then send it to DOMPDF to create a PDF of the view.
However the loop that builds my view is not very well written and when the tables and rows are created, there seems to be zero consistency as to whether an opening HTML tag actually gets closed or not, this is causing my problems with DOMPDF as it does not like tables or HTML elements for that matter that are not closed properly, below is the array I am working with and also the PHP loop.
The array
    Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [credit_id] => 11
            [credit_heading] => Testing another new entry
            [credit_title] => Testing another new entry
            [credit_role] => Testing another new entry
            [credit_director] => Testing another new entry
            [credit_type] => long
            [credit_position] => 0
            [date_created] => 2012-01-10 17:06:24
            [candidates_candidate_id] => 54
            [rel_id] => 8
            [credits_candidate_id] => 54
            [credits_credit_id] => 11
            [category_title] => Feature Film
            [category_position] => 0
        )

    [1] => Array
        (
            [credit_id] => 1
            [credit_heading] => Test Heading 1
            [credit_title] => Test Title 1
            [credit_role] => Test Role 1
            [credit_director] => Test Director 1
            [credit_type] => long
            [credit_position] => 1
            [date_created] => 2012-01-06 17:23:41
            [candidates_candidate_id] => 54
            [rel_id] => 1
            [credits_candidate_id] => 54
            [credits_credit_id] => 1
            [category_title] => Corporate
            [category_position] => 3
        )

    [2] => Array
        (
            [credit_id] => 6
            [credit_heading] => Test Heading 4
            [credit_title] => Test Title 4
            [credit_role] => Test Role 4
            [credit_director] => Test Director 4
            [credit_type] => long
            [credit_position] => 2
            [date_created] => 2012-01-06 17:20:40
            [candidates_candidate_id] => 54
            [rel_id] => 3
            [credits_candidate_id] => 54
            [credits_credit_id] => 6
            [category_title] => Corporate
            [category_position] => 3
        )

)

The code
<?php if($credit['credit_type'] == "long") : ?>
            <?php if($credit['category_title'] != $oldvalue) : ?>
                <table width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" style="margin:0px 0px 15px 0px;" class="long-entry">
                <tbody>
            <?php endif; ?> 
                    <?php if($credit['category_title'] != $oldvalue) : ?>
                    <tr>
                          <td width="25%"><strong><?php echo trim($credit['category_title']); ?></strong></td>                 
                          <td width="25%"><strong>Title</strong></td>
                          <td width="25%"><strong>Role</strong></td>
                          <td width="25%"><strong>Director</strong></td>
                    </tr>
                    <?php else : ?>
                    <tr>
                        <td width="25%"><?php echo $credit['credit_heading'];?></td>
                        <td width="25%"><?php echo $credit['credit_title']; ?></td>
                        <td width="25%"><?php echo $credit['credit_role']; ?></td>
                        <td width="25%"><?php echo $credit['credit_director']; ?></td>
                    </tr>
                    <?php endif; ?>
                          </tbody>
                          </table>
                <?php $oldvalue = $credit['category_title']; ?>
        <?php endif; ?> 

What the above code is trying to achieve is that while the $credit['category_title'] is new we create a new table, if on the next iteration it is still the same, we add a row to the table, and so on and so forth. What is in actual fact is that it creates a new table adds a new row and then does not close that row or the table.
Expected outcome
<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
  <tr>
    <td width="10%"><strong>Corporate</strong></td>

    <td width="40%"><strong>Title</strong></td>

    <td width="25%"><strong>Role</strong></td>

    <td width="25%"><strong>Director</strong></td>
  </tr>

  <tr>
    <td width="10%">Test Heading 1</td>

    <td width="40%">Test Title 1</td>

    <td width="25%">Test Role 1</td>

    <td width="25%">Test Director 1</td>
  </tr>

  <tr>
    <td></td>
  </tr>

  <tr>
    <td width="10%">Test Heading 4</td>

    <td width="40%">Test Title 4</td>

    <td width="25%">Test Role 4</td>

    <td width="25%">Test Director 4</td>
  </tr>
</tbody>

Actual outcome
<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
    <tbody>
      <tr>
        <td width="10%"><strong>Corporate</strong></td>

        <td width="40%"><strong>Title</strong></td>

        <td width="25%"><strong>Role</strong></td>

        <td width="25%"><strong>Director</strong></td>
      </tr>

      <tr>
        <td width="10%">Test Heading 1</td>

        <td width="40%">Test Title 1</td>

        <td width="25%">Test Role 1</td>

        <td width="25%">Test Director 1</td>
      </tr>

      <tr>
        <td></td>
      </tr>
      Test Title 4 Test Role 4 Test Director 4
    </tbody>
  </table>

How should my loop look so that it create valid HTML and not the crap that I am at the moment?

A:

I stand by my answer when this question was asked previously. The code is ugly but I believe it will work.
However, this version of the question provides much more detail on what's going on. I think a better solution would be to update the data array to better reflect the nature of the data. So try something like this:
<?php
$credit_categories = array();
foreach ($records as $record) :
  if (!array_key_exists($record['category_title'], $credit_categories)) :
    $credit_categories[$record['category_title']] = array(
      'category_title' => $record['category_title'],
      'category_position' => $record['category_position'],
      'credits' => array()
    );
  endif;
  $credit_categories[$record['category_title']]['credits'][] = $record;
endforeach;

foreach ($credit_categories as $credit_category) : ?>
  <table width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" style="margin:0px 0px 15px 0px;" class="long-entry">
    <tbody>
      <tr>
        <td width="25%"><strong><?php echo trim($credit_category['category_title']); ?></strong></td>
        <td width="25%"><strong>Title</strong></td>
        <td width="25%"><strong>Role</strong></td>
        <td width="25%"><strong>Director</strong></td>
      </tr>
      <?php foreach ($credit_category['credits'] as $credit) : ?>
      <tr>
        <td width="25%"><?php echo $credit['credit_heading'];?></td>
        <td width="25%"><?php echo $credit['credit_title']; ?></td>
        <td width="25%"><?php echo $credit['credit_role']; ?></td>
        <td width="25%"><?php echo $credit['credit_director']; ?></td>
      </tr>
      <?php endforeach; // end $credit loop ?>
    </tbody>
  </table>
<?php endforeach; // end $credit_categories loop ?>

Some notes:

I'm using $records to represent your initial data array, since you didn't specify the variable.
You can use anything for the key in $credit_categories ... just make sure it's unique for each category and represented in each record. I prefer to use IDs instead of text fields, I'm just working with what you've given us and I wasn't sure if category_position would be unique.
If you update your question to reflect the nature of the "short" credit records I can further refine the code example if necessary, though it may work as is if there is no category overlap between "long" and "short" credits.

A special note on data structure:
I've modified your existing data structure, but you should strive to achieve a structure like this initially. Most MVC frameworks will supply a normalized data structure by default (if the database is normalized). If the database is not normalized, or if this is custom code, your first task should be to reformat the data array to better reflect a normalized data structure.
On the other hand data normalization isn't always necessary. Plus the code that normalizes the data can cause a lot of overhead depending on the number of records that need to be processed. So always determine ahead of time if normalization will make your job easier.