Access array key from return value

Question

If I have a function that returns an array, how can I access a key from it directly from the function call?

Example:

function foo() {
    return array('a' => 1);
}

foo()['a']; //no good

from php 5.4 up this foo()[1] is valid syntax. ide's such as dreamweaver won't recognize it as such though and will throw big red lines. but it definitely is possible — Félix Adriyel Gagnon-Grenier
– Félix Adriyel Gagnon-Grenier, Commented Jul 23, 2014 at 19:37

elixenide · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-23 19:37:54Z

1

You can't do it directly like that in versions < 5.4. You need to store the return value of foo() somewhere:

function foo() {
    return array('a' => 1);
}

$bar = foo();

echo $bar['a'];

In PHP 5.4 and up, your code will work. Demo.

answered Jul 23, 2014 at 19:37

elixenide

44.9k16 gold badges79 silver badges103 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

@FélixGagnon-Grenier Thanks for reminding me of the 5.4 part; I recalled a change in there somewhere, but forget when it was. :)

meh, thinking about it, my reaction was quite childish, you deserve this :)

Steven Matthews · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-23 19:41:04Z

0

You have to assign the function to a variable first - like this:

$bar = foo();
$bar['a'];

You have to actually call a function to get a return value - in this case you are trying to get an array value from something which is not an array.

Note, this is true only for versions of PHP before 5.4.

answered Jul 23, 2014 at 19:41

Steven Matthews

11.7k50 gold badges139 silver badges258 bronze badges