How to pass an array into a function, and return the results with an array

user_251012 0
Viewed 122311

So I'm trying to learn how to pass arrays through a function, so that I can get around PHP's inability to return multiple values. Haven't been able to get anything to work so far, but here is my best try. Can anybody point out where I'm going wrong?

function foo($array)
{
    $array[3]=$array[0]+$array[1]+$array[2];
    return $array;
}

$waffles[0]=1;
$waffles[1]=2;
$waffles[2]=3;
foo($waffles);

echo $waffles[3];

For clarification: I want to be able to pass multiple variables into a function, do something, then return multiple variables back out while keeping them seperate. This was just an example I was trying to get working as a work around for not being able to return multiple variables from an array

php
9 Answers

You seem to be looking for pass-by-reference, to do that make your function look this way (note the ampersand):

function foo(&$array)
{
    $array[3]=$array[0]+$array[1]+$array[2];
}

Alternately, you can assign the return value of the function to a variable:

function foo($array)
{
    $array[3]=$array[0]+$array[1]+$array[2];
    return $array;
}

$waffles = foo($waffles)
SoapBox_363840

You're passing the array into the function by copy. Only objects are passed by reference in PHP, and an array is not an object. Here's what you do (note the &)

function foo(&$arr) { # note the &
  $arr[3] = $arr[0]+$arr[1]+$arr[2];
}
$waffles = array(1,2,3);
foo($waffles);
echo $waffles[3]; # prints 6

That aside, I'm not sure why you would do that particular operation like that. Why not just return the sum instead of assigning it to a new array element?

user_2289360

Try

$waffles = foo($waffles);

Or pass the array by reference, like suggested in the other answers.

In addition, you can add new elements to an array without writing the index, e.g.

$waffles = array(1,2,3); // filling on initialization

or

$waffles = array();
$waffles[] = 1;
$waffles[] = 2;
$waffles[] = 3;

On a sidenote, if you want to sum all values in an array, use array_sum()

user_2088090

I always return multiple values by using a combination of list() and array()s:

function DecideStuffToReturn() {
    $IsValid = true;
    $AnswerToLife = 42;

    // Build the return array.
    return array($IsValid, $AnswerToLife);
}

// Part out the return array in to multiple variables.
list($IsValid, $AnswerToLife) = DecideStuffToReturn();

You can name them whatever you like. I chose to keep the function variables and the return variables the same for consistency but you can call them whatever you like.

See list() for more information.

sirlancelot_510210

i know a Class is a bit the overkill

class Foo
{

 private $sum = NULL;

 public function __construct($array)
 {
   $this->sum[] = $array;
   return $this;
 }

 public function getSum()
 {
   $sum = $this->sum;
   for($i=0;$i<count($sum);$i++)
   {
      // get the last array index
      $res[$i] = $sum[$i] + $sum[count($sum)-$i];
   }
   return $res;
 }


}


$fo = new Foo($myarray)->getSum();
user_1792350

You are not able to return 'multiple values' in PHP. You can return a single value, which might be an array.

function foo($test1, $test2, $test3)
{
    return array($test1, $test2, $test3);
}
$test1 = "1";
$test2 = "2";
$test3 = "3";

$arr = foo($test1, $test2, $test3);

$test1 = $arr[0];
$test2 = $arr[1];
$test3 = $arr[2];
user_580880

Another way is:

$NAME = "John";
$EMAIL = "John@gmail.com";
$USERNAME = "John123";
$PASSWORD = "1234";
$array = Array ("$NAME","$EMAIL","$USERNAME","$PASSWORD");
function getAndReturn (Array $array){
    return $array;
}
print_r(getAndReturn($array));
user_87342580
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