PHP - Arrays

The array() Function

In PHP, an array is a special variable that can hold more than one value at a time. You can create an array using the array() function. This function takes a list of values and returns an array containing those values. Here's an example:

$fruits = array("apple", "banana", "cherry");

In this example, we have created an array called $fruits that contains three elements: "apple", "banana", and "cherry".

Using Square Brackets [ ]

You can also create an array using square brackets []. This method is often used when you want to initialize an array with specific keys and values. Here's an example:

$students = ["Alice" => 25, "Bob" => 30, "Charlie" => 28];

In this example, we have created an associative array called $students. Each student's name is a key, and their age is the corresponding value.

Types of Arrays in PHP

There are two main types of arrays in PHP: indexed arrays and associative arrays.

1. Indexed Arrays: These are arrays where each element has an index starting from 0. The index is automatically assigned by PHP. Here's an example:

$numbers = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50];

2. Associative Arrays: These are arrays where each element has a key associated with it. The key is usually a string, but it can also be an integer. Here's an example:

$ages = ["Alice" => 25, "Bob" => 30, "Charlie" => 28];

Accessing the Array Elements

To access the elements of an array, you can use the array index or the key. Here's how you can do it:

Accessing Indexed Array Elements

echo $numbers[0]; // Output: 10
echo $numbers[2]; // Output: 30

Accessing Associative Array Elements

echo $ages["Alice"]; // Output: 25
echo $ages["Bob"];    // Output: 30

Iterating Over Array Elements

You can use a foreach loop to iterate over the elements of an array. Here's an example:

foreach ($ages as $name => $age) {
    echo "$name is $age years old.<br>";
}

This will output:

Alice is 25 years old.
Bob is 30 years old.
Charlie is 28 years old.

Array Functions

PHP provides several built-in functions to work with arrays. Some of the most commonly used ones are:

• count(): Returns the number of elements in an array.
• sort(): Sorts the elements of an array in ascending order.
• rsort(): Sorts the elements of an array in descending order.
• array_push(): Adds one or more elements to the end of an array.
• array_pop(): Removes the last element of an array.
• array_shift(): Removes the first element of an array.
• array_unshift(): Adds one or more elements to the beginning of an array.

Table of Array Functions

Function	Description
count()	Returns the number of elements in an array
sort()	Sorts the elements of an array in ascending order
rsort()	Sorts the elements of an array in descending order
array_push()	Adds one or more elements to the end of an array
array_pop()	Removes the last element of an array
array_shift()	Removes the first element of an array
array_unshift()	Adds one or more elements to the beginning of an array

I hope this tutorial helps you understand the basics of working with arrays in PHP. Remember, practice makes perfect, so try out these concepts and see how they work in real-world scenarios. Happy coding!

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