Reference an index from array on creation (PHP)

Question

Is it possible in PHP to reference an array index on creation of the array?

For example, I need to create a list that will only be used once, in this case to map a word to an index. I know this can be done in Perl, and I think Javascript but can't get it to work in PHP.

$fruit = 2;
$fruitName = ( array( "Apple", "Pear", "Banana", "Kiwi"))[$fruit];

echo $fruitName;

This should output Banana, is this possible or do I have to create the array first?

I realise that I'm just being lazy trying to shortcut it, and I also realise that this post is 7 lines so could have done this 7 times already in the time it took to ask lol

just remove the () this should be $fruitName = array( "Apple", "Pear", "Banana", "Kiwi")[$fruit]; — ryvasquez
– ryvasquez, Commented Jan 6, 2015 at 1:51
Thanks RxV seems my PHP version is the issue. I think I did that cos in Perl you'd do @(list)[index], just tried it that way. — ChrisCodesThings
– ChrisCodesThings, Commented Jan 6, 2015 at 2:00

Rizier123 · Accepted Answer · 2015-01-06 01:50:09Z

3

You just have to delete () and then it should work (PHP > 5.4 , see: http://3v4l.org/YpThG)

$fruit = 2;
$fruitName = array( "Apple", "Pear", "Banana", "Kiwi")[$fruit];

echo $fruitName;

Output:

Banana

Also for more information about array dereferencing see: http://php.net/manual/en/language.types.array.php

answered Jan 6, 2015 at 1:50

Rizier123

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3 Comments

ChrisCodesThings Over a year ago

Ah thanks! I'm running 5.3 so that's why. Current stable is 5.6, do you know if that's fully compatible? Don't want to break my app for the sake of a 1 liner.

Rizier123 Over a year ago

@Dabrowski On 5.3 it doesn't work you would have to first assign it to a variable. If you have 5.6 then it's no problem!

ChrisCodesThings Over a year ago

Yep, I get that, I can upgrade to 5.6 no problem just wanted to check if it's fully backwards compatible but I can always switch it back. Thanks again.

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