Alaa Amer

Lesson 13: PHP Array Types

Arrays are essential data types in PHP. They allow you to store multiple values in a single variable. In this article, we'll explore the main types of arrays in PHP with examples.

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Indexed Array

Indexed arrays use numeric keys starting from 0. You can create them in two ways:

$colors = array("Red", "Green", "Blue");
// or
$colors[] = "Red";
$colors[] = "Green";
$colors[] = "Blue";

Accessing an element:

echo $colors[0]; // Output: Red

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Associative Array

Associative arrays use named keys instead of numeric indexes:

$ages = array(
  "Ahmed" => 25,
  "Sara" => 30,
  "Mohamed" => 28
);


echo $ages["Sara"]; // Output: 30

This type is useful for mapping related data, such as names and ages.

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Multidimensional Array

This is an array that contains one or more arrays. It's perfect for structured data like tables.

$students = array(
  array("Ahmed", 25, "Engineering"),
  array("Sara", 23, "Computer Science"),
  array("Mohamed", 24, "Commerce")
);



echo $students[0][0]; // Output: Ahmed

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When to Use Each Type

• Use Indexed Arrays for simple lists.

• Use Associative Arrays to map related data.

• Use Multidimensional Arrays for tabular or complex structures.

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Conclusion

Understanding array types in PHP is crucial for every developer. They offer flexibility in storing and managing data. Try each type in your code today to gain hands-on experience.

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