Editing PHP (section)

== Arrays ==

A special variable that contains multiple values.

Simple format:

<code>$array_name = array('test1', 'test2', 69);</code>

To retrieve a value stored in an array you need the '''index'''.

Generally, arrays use incrementing integers that start with zero as their indices. Indices act as pointers to precisely locate a value in an array.

Expanding on simple format:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
! code
! comment
|-
| echo($array_name[0]);
| Outputs 'test1'
|-
| echo($array_name[1]);
| Outputs 'test2'
|-
| echo($array_name[2]);
| Outputs 69
|-
| $array_name[1] = 'wiki1';
| Assign a new value
|-
| $array_name[3] = 'wiki2';
| Create a new element
|-
| $array_name[] = 'transformers';
| Add element to end of array.
|-
| echo($array_name[4]);
| Outputs "transformers"
|}

Arrays can use strings for indices. This is called an associative array because we can associate values with meaningful indices.

Example:

<code>$weight['robert'] = 225;</code>

<code>$weight['gene'] = 180;</code>

<code>$weight['julie'] = 103;</code>

To temporarily view array contents in web page (e.g., troubleshooting or testing) use print_r function.

Example:

<code>print_r($weight);</code>