How to Add Elements to an Empty Array in Php?

How to Add Elements to an Empty Array in Php?

If I define an array in PHP such as (I don't define its size):

$cart = array();

Do I simply add elements to it using the following?

$cart[] = 13;
$cart[] = "foo";
$cart[] = obj;

Don't arrays in PHP have an add method, for example, cart.add(13)?

0

8 Answers

Both array_push and the method you described will work.

$cart = array();
$cart[] = 13;
$cart[] = 14;
// etc

//Above is correct. but below one is for further understanding
$cart = array();
for($i=0;$i<=5;$i++){
    $cart[] = $i;  
}
echo "<pre>";
print_r($cart);
echo "</pre>";

Is the same as:

<?php
$cart = array();
array_push($cart, 13);
array_push($cart, 14);

// Or 
$cart = array();
array_push($cart, 13, 14);
?>
13

It's better to not use array_push and just use what you suggested. The functions just add overhead.

//We don't need to define the array, but in many cases it's the best solution.
$cart = array();

//Automatic new integer key higher than the highest 
//existing integer key in the array, starts at 0.
$cart[] = 13;
$cart[] = 'text';

//Numeric key
$cart[4] = $object;

//Text key (assoc)
$cart['key'] = 'test';
5

Based on my experience, solution which is fine(the best) when keys are not important:

$cart = [];
$cart[] = 13;
$cart[] = "foo";
$cart[] = obj;

You can use array_push. It adds the elements to the end of the array, like in a stack.

You could have also done it like this:

$cart = array(13, "foo", $obj);
$cart = array();
$cart[] = 11;
$cart[] = 15;

// etc

//Above is correct. but below one is for further understanding

$cart = array();
for($i = 0; $i <= 5; $i++){
          $cart[] = $i;  

//if you write $cart = [$i]; you will only take last $i value as first element in array.

}
echo "<pre>";
print_r($cart);
echo "</pre>";
1

REMEMBER, this method overwrites first array, so use only when you are sure!

$arr1 = $arr1 + $arr2;

(see source)

2
$products_arr["passenger_details"]=array();
array_push($products_arr["passenger_details"],array("Name"=>"Isuru Eshan","E-Mail"=>""));
echo "<pre>";
echo json_encode($products_arr,JSON_PRETTY_PRINT);
echo "</pre>";

//OR

$countries = array();
$countries["DK"] = array("code"=>"DK","name"=>"Denmark","d_code"=>"+45");
$countries["DJ"] = array("code"=>"DJ","name"=>"Djibouti","d_code"=>"+253");
$countries["DM"] = array("code"=>"DM","name"=>"Dominica","d_code"=>"+1");
foreach ($countries as $country){
echo "<pre>";
echo print_r($country);
echo "</pre>";
}

When one wants elements to be added with zero-based element indexing, I guess this will work as well:

// adding elements to an array with zero-based index
$matrix= array();
$matrix[count($matrix)]= 'element 1';
$matrix[count($matrix)]= 'element 2';
...
$matrix[count($matrix)]= 'element N';
0

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Robert Thorne
Author

Robert Thorne

Robert Thorne covers electric vehicle innovations, autonomous driving systems, global mobility trends, and automotive engineering developments.