PHP Array Operators

PHP arrays are powerful tools for storing multiple values in a single variable. To manipulate arrays efficiently, PHP offers several array operators.

In the below sections, I will show you each one with examples.

PHP Array Operators: Union Operator

One of the most commonly used array operators in PHP is the “+” operator. Which merge two arrays into a single array. For example:

<?php 
$first_array = array("apple", "banana");
$second_array = array("orange", "pear");
$merged_array = $first_array + $second_array;
print_r($merged_array);<?php 
$first_array = array("apple", "banana");
$second_array = array("orange", "pear");
$merged_array = $first_array + $second_array;
print_r($merged_array);

This code merges the two arrays $first_array and $second_array into a new array called $merged_array.

PHP Array Operators: Equality Operator

We can use the “==” operator to compare two arrays and returns true if both arrays have the same key-value pairs. For example:

<?php 
$array1 = array("apple", "banana");
$array2 = array("banana", "apple");
if($array1 == $array2) {
    echo "Arrays are equal";
} else {
    echo "Arrays are not equal";
}
<?php 
$array1 = array("apple", "banana");
$array2 = array("banana", "apple");
if($array1 == $array2) {
    echo "Arrays are equal";
} else {
    echo "Arrays are not equal";
}

In this example, the “==” operator is used to compare the two arrays $array1 and $array2. Since the two arrays have the same key-value pairs, the output of this code would be “Arrays are equal”.

PHP Array Operators: Identity Operator

The “===” operator is a strict comparison operator. It checks if both arrays have the same key-value pairs in the same order. For example:

<?php 
$array1 = array("apple", "banana");
$array2 = array("banana", "apple");
if($array1 === $array2) {
    echo "Arrays are equal";
} else {
    echo "Arrays are not equal";
}
<?php 
$array1 = array("apple", "banana");
$array2 = array("banana", "apple");
if($array1 === $array2) {
    echo "Arrays are equal";
} else {
    echo "Arrays are not equal";
}

In this example, the “===” operator is used to compare the two arrays $array1 and $array2. Since the two arrays have the same key-value pairs, but not in the same order, the output of this code would be “Arrays are not equal”.

PHP Array Operators: Inequality Operator

We can use the “!=” operator to check if two arrays are not equal. For example:

<?php 
$array1 = array("apple", "banana");
$array2 = array("orange", "pear");
if($array1 != $array2) {
    echo "Arrays are not equal";
} else {
    echo "Arrays are equal";
}
<?php 
$array1 = array("apple", "banana");
$array2 = array("orange", "pear");
if($array1 != $array2) {
    echo "Arrays are not equal";
} else {
    echo "Arrays are equal";
}

In this example, the “!=” operator is used to check if the two arrays $array1 and $array2 are not equal. Since the two arrays have different key-value pairs, the output of this code would be “Arrays are not equal”.

Using the Spaceship Operator

The “<=>” operator is the spaceship operator. It compares two arrays and returns -1, 0, or 1 based on the order of the arrays. For example:

<?php 
$array1 = array("apple", "banana");
$array2 = array("apple", "banana");
$array3 = array("banana", "apple");
echo $array1 <=> $array2; // 0
echo $array1 <=> $array3; // -1
echo $array3 <=> $array1; // 1
<?php 
$array1 = array("apple", "banana");
$array2 = array("apple", "banana");
$array3 = array("banana", "apple");
echo $array1 <=> $array2; // 0
echo $array1 <=> $array3; // -1
echo $array3 <=> $array1; // 1

In this example, the “<=>” operator is used to compare the three arrays $array1, $array2, and $array3.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, understanding array operators is crucial for efficient and effective array manipulation. The various operators such as “+” for merging arrays, “==” for comparing two arrays, “===” for strict comparison, “!=” for checking inequality, and “<=>” for spaceship comparison, provide us with powerful tools to manipulate arrays with ease.

Furthermore, by mastering these basic operators, developers can write more efficient and elegant code, improving the overall performance of their PHP applications. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced PHP developer, taking the time to learn and understand these array operators is a valuable investment in your programming skills.

To learn more visit PHP manual.