PHP, How to return new element for array with function

Question

I want to add a new element to an array using a function. This is my code:

$test = [];
$test[] = getTest('test_key');

function getTest($key){
    return [$key => 'test_value'];
}

This is the result. A multidimensional array.

Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [test_key] => test_value
        )

)

But it's going one level to deep for me :) This is the desired result:

Array
(
    [test_key] => test_value

)

What part am I doing wrong? :)

MyLibary · Accepted Answer · 2019-01-15 19:45:45Z

2

You are returning an array and you push it to the $test array you had, that's why it became a multidimensional array. you may consider changing the function name, but just do so:

$test = [];
getTest($test, 'test_key');

function getTest(&$array,$key){
    $array[$key] = 'test_value';
}

answered Jan 15, 2019 at 19:45

MyLibary

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6 Comments

Tim Over a year ago

Thanks for your answer. Doing a 'var_dump()' of the '$test' var results an empty var. the new updated array stays within the function. I guess making it global might work. But I don't want to do that.

MyLibary Over a year ago

Where do you place the var_dump? also, pay attention you've to pass the array by reference (see the getTest function signature), still doesn't work for you?

AbraCadaver Over a year ago

^^^ Pay attention to &

Tim Over a year ago

@MyLibary var_dump() after the function. But,

Tim Over a year ago

@AbraCadaver, mehehehe thanks! I deleted it. Though "how did that came here? Did I make a typo?" hehe. So bottom line it works perfectly! Thanks. What's it called the '&' so I can find more info on what it is and does?

|

Progrock · Accepted Answer · 2019-01-15 20:49:20Z

0

You can merge arrays with array_merge. Here merging your result with your original array.

<?php

function getTest($key){
    return [$key => 'stool'];
}

$test = ['foo'=>'food'];
$test = array_merge($test, getTest('bar'));
print_r($test);

Output:

Array
(
    [foo] => food
    [bar] => stool
)

answered Jan 15, 2019 at 20:49

Progrock

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