When we talk about PHP functions, what do you think is the most used one? Well, it is the count() function with a frequency of 81.41 %. What follows is also one of the PHP array functions, namely is_array, with a frequency of 77.32 %. Not surprisingly, the fourth most frequently used PHP function is again one of the PHP array functions. It is in_array with a frequency of 74.16 %.
Since those functions are so widely used, it will help experienced developers know more about them.
Types of PHP Array Functions
While there are more than 50 such functions, we shall discuss some of the most popular ones here.
- is_array
It helps developers know whether a variable is an array. If it returns true, the variable is an array, and vice-versa. You can understand how to use it by reading the syntax below:
<?php
echo is_array($array); //1 or TRUE
?>
It is available from PHP 4.0 onwards.
- in_array
The PHP function use of in_array is to check if a particular value is present in a given array. Again, this function returns true if the array has the value we are looking for and false if not.
Below is the syntax for this function:
<?php
$people = array("A", "B", "C", "D");
if (in_array("A", $people))
{
echo "Match found";
}
else
{
echo "Match not found";
}
?>
So, if the array has the value "A", the function will return true and false, if not. The function is also available from PHP 4.0 onwards.
- array_merge
Suppose you are working on multiple arrays. A situation compels you to merge two of those arrays. One of the PHP functions, array_merge, proves helpful here. Let us learn its syntax, as follows:
We have two arrays here. One is platforms, and the other is users. We shall merge the two with the PHP function use of array_merge.
<?php
$array = array (
'platforms' => array (
'Search' => 'Yahoo',
'Social' => 'Tinder',
'News' => 'BBC'
),
'users' => array (
'A',
'B',
'C',
'D',
'E'
)
);
$merged = array_merge ( $array ['platforms'], $array ['users'] );
print_r ( $merged );
?>
The result of the PHP function use of the given function is the merger of the two arrays, platforms and users, as follows:
Array
(
[Search] => Yahoo
[Social] => Tinder
[News] => BBC
[0] => A
[1] => B
[2] => C
[3] => D
[4] => E
)
Users with PHP 4.0 or above can use the function.
- array_keys
array_keys is again one of the most used PHP functions with a frequency of 59.35 %. It helps developers retrieve the keys for each index in a new array.
We can understand its syntax from the previous example, that is, using the array, $merged.
<?php
$keys = array_keys ( $merged );
print_r ( $keys );
?>
As a result of using array_keys, the keys of the array $merged will become values for the new array, as follows:
Array
(
[0] => Search
[1] => Social
[2] => News
[3] => 0
[4] => 1
[5] => 2
[6] => 3
[7] => 4
)
While PHP 5.0 introduced the function, developers can use the function on PHP 4.0 and above.
Experienced freelance developers can equip themselves with these and many more PHP functions and improve their prospects. If you face difficulty in finding the right opportunities, Eiliana can help. With Eiliana, you can engage in freelance projects even while employed, as it does not make your identities public.
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