In PHP return result or empty array

Question

In javascript I can write something like:

var result = Whatever() || [];

and if Whatever() returns null or undefined, the result variable will contain an empty array.

Is there a similar shortcut in PHP? This will just return false:

$result = Whatever() || array();

I can use a ternary operator, but since there is a function call, I will need to create an additional variable like so:

$whatever = Whatever();
$result = $whatever ? $whatever : array();

which seems ugly and not very readable. Is there a better pattern?

return Whatever() ? Whatever() : []; or return Whatever() ? Whatever() : array() - as you said, those are your best bets - it's called a Ternary Operator or shortcutted : davidwalsh.name/php-shorthand-if-else-ternary-operators — CD001
– CD001, Commented Jul 2, 2015 at 8:57

Hanky Panky · Accepted Answer · 2015-07-02 09:09:39Z

2

Stop reading old php posts on internet. You can easily do

$result = Whatever() ?: array();

PHP 5.3+

And nope, Whatever() won't be called twice.

answered Jul 2, 2015 at 8:59

Hanky Panky

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