Day 5 - Array - Become PHP Expert in 30 days

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Array

Arrays is used to store multiple values in a variable.



Lets jump directly into some PHP code and learn how to use array.

Creating Array

fruits.php

<?php

// create array

$fruits = array('grapes', 'apple', 'coconut', 'pineapple', 'mango', 'papaya', 'orange', 'lemon', 'strawberry', 'watermelon');

// lets print

echo $fruits[0];
echo '<br>';
echo $fruits[2];
echo '<br>';
echo $fruits[3];
echo '<br>';
echo $fruits[9];

In this example, we created array using array() function.

$fruits = array('grapes', 'apple', 'coconut', 'pineapple', 'mango', 'papaya', 'orange', 'lemon', 'strawberry', 'watermelon');

Each value in an Array is called Array Element.

Array Elements are separated by comma. This this array, we store string value (text), so they are enclosed inside single quote. Array can store numeric values too.

First element of the array, in our example grapes can be accessed using $fruits[0], here 0 is called Array Index. Array Index start from 0.

print_r() and var_dump()

print_r() and var_dump() functions can be used to print value of arrays. They are mostly used for debugging (to see raw value of an array/variable).

array_raw.php

<?php

// create array

$fruits = array('grapes', 'apple', 'coconut', 'pineapple', 'mango', 'papaya', 'orange', 'lemon', 'strawberry', 'watermelon');

// lets print

echo '<pre>';

print_r($fruits);
//var_dump($fruits);

echo '</pre>';

In the above example, line starting with // is commented. Try un comment the line

//var_dump($fruits);

to see how var_dump() prints the array.


Finding Number of Elements in an Array

array_count.php

<?php

// create array

$fruits = array('grapes', 'apple', 'coconut', 'pineapple', 'mango', 'papaya', 'orange', 'lemon', 'strawberry', 'watermelon');

$numberOfFruits = count($fruits);

echo '<p>We have ' . $numberOfFruits . ' fresh fruits in our store.</p>';

count() function is used to count number of elements in an Array.

Printing Array With foreach

For most real life programs, you need to use foreach() function to print value of an array.

array_foreach.php

<?php

$fruits = array('grapes', 'apple', 'coconut', 'pineapple', 'mango', 'papaya', 'orange', 'lemon', 'strawberry', 'watermelon');

foreach ($fruits as $fruit) {
    echo $fruit;
    echo '<br>';
}

Adding Elements to an Array

array_add.php

<?php

$fruits = array('grapes', 'apple', 'coconut', 'pineapple', 'mango', 'papaya', 'orange', 'lemon', 'strawberry', 'watermelon');


echo '<pre>';
print_r($fruits);
echo '</pre>';

echo '<p>I am going to add 2 more fruits to $fruits array.</p>';

$fruits[] = 'banana';
$fruits[] = 'cherry';

echo '<pre>';
print_r($fruits);
echo '</pre>';