PHP array()Functions
Examples
Create a numeric array named $cars, assign three elements to it, and print a text containing the array values:
<?php
$cars=array("Volvo","BMW","Toyota");
echo "I like " . $cars[0] . ", " . $cars[1] . " and " . $cars[2] . ".";
?>
$cars=array("Volvo","BMW","Toyota");
echo "I like " . $cars[0] . ", " . $cars[1] . " and " . $cars[2] . ".";
?>
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Definition and Usage
The array() function is used to create an array.
In PHP, there are three types of arrays:
- Numeric array- An array with numeric ID keys
- Associative array- An array with specified keys, each key associated with a value
- Multidimensional array- An array containing one or more arrays
Syntax
Syntax for numeric arrays:
array(value1,value2,value3,etc.);
Syntax for associative arrays:
array(key=>value,key=>value,key=>value,etc.);
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| key | Specifies the key name (numeric or string). |
| value | Specifies the key value. |
Technical Details
| Return value: | Returns an array of the parameters. |
|---|---|
| PHP Version: | 4+ |
| Changelog: | As of PHP 5.4, short array syntax can be used, using [] instead of array(). For example, use $cars=["Volvo","BMW"]; instead of $cars=array("Volvo","BMW"); |
More Examples
Example 1
Create an associative array named $age:
<?php
$age=array("Peter"=>"35","Ben"=>"37","Joe"=>"43");
echo "Peter is " . $age['Peter'] . " years old.";
?>
$age=array("Peter"=>"35","Ben"=>"37","Joe"=>"43");
echo "Peter is " . $age['Peter'] . " years old.";
?>
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Example 2
Loop through and print the values of a numeric array:
<?php
$cars=array("Volvo","BMW","Toyota");
$arrlength=count($cars);
for($x=0;$x<$arrlength;$x++)
{
echo $cars[$x];
echo "<br>";
}
?>
$cars=array("Volvo","BMW","Toyota");
$arrlength=count($cars);
for($x=0;$x<$arrlength;$x++)
{
echo $cars[$x];
echo "<br>";
}
?>
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Example 3
Loop through and print the values of an associative array:
<?php
$age=array("Peter"=>"35","Ben"=>"37","Joe"=>"43");
foreach($age as $x=>$x_value)
{
echo "Key=" . $x . ", Value=" . $x_value;
echo "<br>";
}
?>
$age=array("Peter"=>"35","Ben"=>"37","Joe"=>"43");
foreach($age as $x=>$x_value)
{
echo "Key=" . $x . ", Value=" . $x_value;
echo "<br>";
}
?>
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Example 4
Create a multidimensional array:
<?php
// A two-dimensional array
$cars=array
(
array("Volvo",100,96),
array("BMW",60,59),
array("Toyota",110,100)
);
?>
// A two-dimensional array
$cars=array
(
array("Volvo",100,96),
array("BMW",60,59),
array("Toyota",110,100)
);
?>
Run example »
Complete PHP Array Reference Other Extensions