Alaa Amer

Lesson 14: PHP Array Functions

Arrays are one of the most commonly used data structures in PHP. Thankfully, PHP offers a wide range of built-in functions that simplify array handling. In this article, you’ll discover the most useful array functions, categorized by their purpose, with clear and concise examples.

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 1. Functions to Add Elements

array_push()

Adds one or more elements to the end of an array.

$arr = ['PHP', 'JavaScript'];

array_push($arr, 'Python');

print_r($arr);

array_unshift()

Adds an element to the beginning of an array.

$arr = ['PHP', 'JavaScript'];

array_unshift($arr, 'HTML');

print_r($arr);

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 2. Search Functions

in_array()

Checks if a value exists in an array.

$skills = ['HTML', 'CSS', 'PHP'];

if (in_array('PHP', $skills)) {
    echo "Found!";
}

array_search()

Searches for a value and returns its key.

$skills = ['frontend' => 'HTML', 'backend' => 'PHP'];

$key = array_search('PHP', $skills);

echo $key;

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 3. Removing Elements

array_pop()

Removes the last element of an array.

$stack = ['first', 'second', 'third'];

array_pop($stack);

print_r($stack);

array_shift()

Removes the first element.

$queue = ['start', 'middle', 'end'];

array_shift($queue);

print_r($queue);

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 4. Sorting Functions

sort()

Sorts elements in ascending order.

$numbers = [5, 3, 9, 1];

sort($numbers);

print_r($numbers);

rsort()

Sorts in descending order.

$letters = ['b', 'a', 'd', 'c'];

rsort($letters);

print_r($letters);

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 5. Filtering and Mapping

array_filter()

Filters elements based on a condition.

$nums = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];

$even = array_filter($nums, fn($n) => $n % 2 === 0);

print_r($even);

array_map()

Applies a function to each array item.

$nums = [1, 2, 3];

$squares = array_map(fn($n) => $n * $n, $nums);

print_r($squares);

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 Conclusion

PHP array functions save time and improve efficiency. By mastering them, developers can handle data processing tasks more effectively. Try applying them in real-world projects for better results.

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