PHP 7 Arrays

An array is a collection of key/value pairs. We can store more than one item in only one variable i.e. Array. So Array is used when there is requirement to add more items in a single variable. To create an array, we are using an array () construct. Each element in an array is separated by comma.

Example

<?php
    array(key1=>value1, key2=>value2, key3=>value3);
?>

The key is optional in the array, we can also enter only values as argument in array, like-
array(value1, value2, value3);

Array indexes can be integer and string. Array values can be of any data types, it can also be an array. If an array contains one or more array as values than it is called multidimensional array.

Types of Arrays in PHP- Indexed Array, Associative Array and Multidimensional Array

Indexed Array

In indexed array, keys are in sequential form or optional.

Example

<?php
    $array1 = array('Book', 'Table', 'Chair'); 
?>

<?php
    $array1 = array();
    $array1[0] = 'Book';
    $array1[1] = 'Table';
    $array1[2] = 'Chair';
?>

Associative Array

In Associative array, elements are defined in key/value pairs.

Example

<?php
    $arr = array('k1'=>'Book', 'k2'=>'Table', 'k3'=>'Chair' );
?>

Multidimensional Array

In a multidimensional array, array element contains one or more array.

Example

<?php
    $arr = array('k1'=>array('Book', 'Pen', 'Copy'), 
				'k2'=> array('Table', 'Chair'));
?>

Retrieving Array value

To direct retrieve array value, we use its index. Suppose we have stored a value in $arr array at index 4, $arr[4] should return the stored value. If nothing has been stored at index of 4, $arr[4] will behave like an unbound variable.

Example

<?php
    $arr = array('Book', 'Pen', 'Copy', 'Table', 'Chair');
	echo $arr[4];
?>

Output

Print Arrays

PHP provide two functions to print composite data types - print_r and var_dump. Both functions print out the contents of array. var_dump also outputs the data types of each value.

Example

<?php
    $arr = array('k1'=>array('Book', 'Pen', 'Copy'), 
				'k2'=> array('Table', 'Chair'));
	print_r($arr);
	var_dump($arr);
?>

Output

array('Book', 'Pen', 'Copy'), 
				'k2'=> array('Table', 'Chair'));
	print_r($arr);
	echo '
';?>
	 

Deleting from Arrays

Deleting an element from an array is simple, exactly equivalent to getting rid of an alloted variable. unset() function is used to delete items from an array.

Example

<?php
    $arr = array('Book', 'Pen', 'Copy', 'Table', 'Chair');
	unset($arr[4]);
	print_r($arr);
?>

Output

Useful PHP Array functions