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is_array in PHP

Priya Pedamkar
Article byPriya Pedamkar

Updated May 12, 2023

Definition of is_array in PHP

An array in PHP is a data structure that stores multiple values in a single variable. An array can store values of different data types, including integers, strings, and other arrays, making it a very versatile data structure. The is_array function is what will help to check and be certain if the variable is an array.

 

 

The is_array function in PHP, which is built-in, verifies if a variable is an array. The function would always return true if the variable is an array, and always false if it’s otherwise. This function is used to verify the type of data stored in a variable before performing operations on it, ensuring the code runs correctly and avoiding errors.

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is_array-in-PHP

Syntax and Parameters

The syntax for the is_array function in PHP is

bool is_array(mixed $var)

The function takes a single parameter, which is a variable ($variable_name), and returns a boolean value of either true or false.

$var: The variable that you want to check if it’s an array or not. This parameter can be any value including arrays, strings, numbers, etc.

Return value: The returned value indicates whether the input $var is of the type “array” or not.

Return type: The function returns a boolean value of true if the input $var is an array and false if it is not an array.

Examples

Example #1

Code:

<?php
$array1 = array("apple", "banana", "cherry");
$array2 = array("dog", "cat", "bird");
$string = "apple";
if (is_array($array1) && is_array($array2) && !is_array($string)) {
echo "Both arrays are arrays and the string is not an array.";
} else {
echo "One or more variables are not arrays.";
}

Output:

Arrays

This code demonstrates how to use the is_array function in PHP to check if a variable is an array or not.

  • This PHP code checks if three variables $array1, $array2 and $string are arrays using the is_array
  • The is_array function in PHP checks if the inputted variable is an array or not. It only accepts one parameter, which is the variable in question. The function returns a boolean value of true if the variable is an array, and false if it is not.
  • In the if statement, the condition checks if $array1 and $array2 are arrays using is_array($array1) and is_array($array2) Also, the condition checks if $string is not an array using !is_array($string).
  • This means that if $array1 and $array2 are arrays, and $string is not an array, the if statement will evaluate to true, and the code inside the if block will be executed. The code inside the if block outputs the following message:

Message

  • If the condition in the if statement is not met, the code inside the else block will be executed, and the following message will be displayed:

Echo

Example #2

Code:

<?php
$array = array(1, 2, 3, 4, 5);
$string = "Hello World";
$number = 12345;
if (is_array($array)) {
echo "The variable \$array is an array.\n";
}
if (!is_array($string)) {
echo "The variable \$string is not an array.\n";
}
if (!is_array($number)) {
echo "The variable \$number is not an array.\n";
}

Output:

Variable Array

This PHP code demonstrates the usage of the is_array function.

  1. A variable $array is created and assigned an array with values 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
  2. Another variable $string is created and assigned a string value “Hello World”.
  3. And the third variable $number is created and assigned a number value 12345.

Then, the code checks the type of each of these variables using the is_array function.

  1. If the $array variable is an array, the function returns true and a message “The variable $array is an array.” is displayed.
  2. If the $string variable is not an array, the function returns false, and the message “The variable $string is not an array.” is displayed.
  3. If the $number variable is not an array, the function returns false, and the message “The variable $number is not an array.” is displayed.

Conclusion

The is_array function is important because arrays are a data structure in PHP that allows you to store multiple values in a single variable. By using the is_array function, you can ensure that you are working with the right type of data, which makes your code more reliable and efficient. In a nutshell, the is_array function is a useful tool for checking if a variable is an array, which is especially important when writing dynamic scripts that handle different types of data.

FAQs

1. What does is_array return in PHP?

Answer: The is_array function returns a value of true if the passed variable is an array and false in all other cases.

2. Can you use is_array with other data types in PHP?

Answer: The is_array function is limited to determining if a variable is of the array data type. If you want to check if a variable is of a different data type (such as a string, integer, or float), you can use other functions, such as is_string, is_integer, and is_float.

3. Why is it important to use is_array in PHP?

Answer: It is important to use is_array in PHP because arrays are a specific data type in PHP, and it is important to know what type of data you’re working with when writing scripts. By using is_array, you can ensure that you are working with the right type of data, which makes your code more reliable and efficient.

Recommended Article

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