Passing a function return result into a foreach loop

Question

Out of curiosity, are the two options below functionally equivalent?

$array_variable = function_that_creates_an_array();
foreach($array_variable as $a){
    do_something()
}

vs.

foreach(function_that_creates_an_array() as $a){
    do_something()
}

Just want to make sure I'm not calling the function on every iteration or anything dumb like that.

Thanks!

Petah · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-09 23:24:30Z

12

Yes, they are basically equivalent.

The only difference is the first one will add a variable to the current scope (i.e. if your in the global scope).

answered Jun 9, 2011 at 23:24

Petah

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2 Comments

Amin Abdolrezapoor Over a year ago

Is there any difference in performance if we store it in variable or call the function directly? i mean does php call the function on each iteration?

Petah Over a year ago

No PHP won't call the function each loop.

Skrol29 · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-09 23:33:19Z

2

The two snippet will read the array the same way, without re-evaluation the function.

Nevertheless, in the second snippet, you will not be able to access to the complete array during the loop since you don't have any reference (variable) on it.

http://www.php.net/manual/en/control-structures.foreach.php

answered Jun 9, 2011 at 23:33

Skrol29

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Comments

Ryan · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-09 23:25:33Z

0

Simply, yes they are functionally the same.

answered Jun 9, 2011 at 23:25

Ryan

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