php-- $variable = [] error

Question

I'm getting an error when I try to set an array using

$var = []; // throws error
$var = array(); // no error

The error is

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '['

Never seen this before! I assume it's a quirk in a version of PHP? It's also throwing the same error when I do something like:

$var[] = $newvalue;

I've never initialised an array with $var = []; but always with $var = array(); but maybe that's just me — user557846
– user557846, Commented Sep 30, 2014 at 22:54
Really? It always use [], but never for my answers on SO because it'll lead to people commenting -- oh syntax error. — Dave Chen
– Dave Chen, Commented Sep 30, 2014 at 22:55
never even seen any one do that, oh well learn something new every day — user557846
– user557846, Commented Sep 30, 2014 at 22:57
I guess I've just been using PHP 5.4 for so long I got used to it. — user101289
– user101289, Commented Sep 30, 2014 at 23:13

Adam Sinclair · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-30 22:51:18Z

4

$var = []; is legal as of PHP 5.4.

answered Sep 30, 2014 at 22:51

Adam Sinclair

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IMSoP · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-30 23:05:51Z

1

It's not a "quirk in a version", but it does require a minimum version: the "short array syntax" ([] as a synonym for array()) was introduced in PHP 5.4, as can be seen from the release notes of that version.

You can also check which versions of PHP a piece of code will work in using the online tool at http://3v4l.org, which runs a snippet of code in a wide variety of builds, from PHP 4 to what will eventually be PHP 7, and even various versions of HHVM. Here is an example of running this code.

edited Sep 30, 2014 at 23:05

answered Sep 30, 2014 at 22:54

IMSoP

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