PHP empty array value declaration

Question

Can i in some way declare an array value to be a string, int etc. without adding a value to it?

For example:

public $arr = array(string);

It's a nice idea to insist on strongly typed arrays, but you can't do this with an ordinary array. But I think you could set up a class as an ArrayAccess, and refuse non-string values there, by throwing an exception. — halfer
– halfer, Commented Oct 7, 2013 at 12:49

Amir Akef · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-01 07:52:00Z

5

you can use this as easier you think:

$arr = [];

answered Feb 1, 2017 at 7:52

Amir Akef

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Comments

user1703809 · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-07 12:48:48Z

2

Short answer, no. PHP is a weakly typed language and doesn't impose types. Closest thing are type hints, but those won't help you in this case.

answered Oct 7, 2013 at 12:48

user1703809

Comments

Floris · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-07 12:50:14Z

2

PHP does not require (or support) explicit type definition in variable declaration; a variable's type is determined by the context in which the variable is used.

from http://php.net/manual/en/language.types.type-juggling.php

answered Oct 7, 2013 at 12:50

Floris

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Shakti Patel · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-07 12:58:04Z

1

yes you can

$arr = array();
settype($arr,'string');

PHP settype

answered Oct 7, 2013 at 12:58

Shakti Patel

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4 Comments

Alex Shesterov Over a year ago

that's not even near to what the OP wants

Shakti Patel Over a year ago

can you please explain me what he want?

Alex Shesterov Over a year ago

In short: he wants to declare a type-safe array, i.e. an array whose elements are all of a specified type. It's not possible with PHP arrays (albeit it's possible to simulate type-safe arrays with classes).

halfer Over a year ago

I've never seen this keyword before, interesting. However, it's not what the OP wants - this just recasts a value to a new type, rather than refusing to store values of the wrong type. See my comment under the Q for one approach that will work.

Oswald · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-07 12:49:10Z

0

You cannot declare an array value to be a string, int etc. without defining that value. The value null (which is the closest you can get to not defining a value) has type null.

answered Oct 7, 2013 at 12:49

Oswald

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Comments

user2842799 · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-07 13:19:39Z

0

it's just thought, maybe incorrect but you can test

public function login()
{
    $this->index();//not done yet
    $arr = array();
    foreach ($arr as $element)
    {
        $element = '';
        // or $element = (string)$element;
    }
}

Maybe better way will be to use object of stdClass instead of array; or array of stdClass objects.

answered Oct 7, 2013 at 13:19

user2842799

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1 Comment

Sune Over a year ago

Ended up using stdClass object instead. Thanks for the advise.

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