Concept of Array in PHP
An array is a special variable that can hold more than one value at a time under a single name.
How it Works
If you have a list of fruits, instead of creating three separate variables like
$fruit1, $fruit2, and $fruit3, you store them in one array called $fruits.| Index (Position) | Value |
|---|---|
[0] | “Apple” |
[1] | “Banana” |
[2] | “Cherry” |
Note: In programming, counting almost always starts at 0, not 1.
PHP Code Example
$age = 20;
if ($age < 13) {
echo “Child”;
} elseif ($age < 20) {
echo “Teenager”;
} else {
echo “Adult”;
}
// 1. Create the array
$fruits = array(“Apple”, “Banana”, “Cherry”);
// 2. Access a specific item using its index
echo $fruits[0]; // Outputs: Apple
echo $fruits[1]; // Outputs: Banana
// 3. Change an item
$fruits[1] = “Mango”;
echo $fruits[1]; // Now outputs: Mango
Types of Arrays in PHP
- Indexed Arrays: Arrays with a numeric index (like the example above).
- Associative Arrays: Arrays where you use named keys instead of numbers (e.g.,
"color" => "red"). - Multidimensional Arrays: Arrays containing other arrays (like a grid or a spreadsheet).