<?php
$arr = [
'derp',
'test',
'othershit'
];
$someUnknowableTemplate = "the first var is @VAR0, the third is @VAR2";
echo preg_replace('/@VAR(\d)/e','$arr[\1]',$someUnknowableTemplate);
Warning: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead in /in/30uqb on line 10
Output for 5.5.0 - 5.5.38, 5.6.0 - 5.6.40
Deprecated: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is deprecated, use preg_replace_callback instead in /in/30uqb on line 10
the first var is derp, the third is othershit