Can the return statement in PHP return an array?

In PHP development, we often use functions to implement some specific functions. Within the function, we may need to return multiple values, in which case we need to use an array to return them uniformly. So the question is, can the return statement in PHP return an array? The answer is yes.

In PHP, the return statement can return either a value or an array. Let's take a look at how to return an array.

Return the index array

In PHP, the most common array type is the index array, which uses numbers as the key values ​​of the elements. To use an index array as the return value of a function, just return the array name directly in the return statement.

function getSquares($arr){
    $squares = [];
    foreach ($arr as $value) {
        array_push($squares, $value * $value);
    }
    return $squares;
}

$nums = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];
$squares = getSquares($nums);
print_r($squares); // Array ( [0] => 1 [1] => 4 [2] => 9 [3] => 16 [4] => 25 )

In the above example, we defined a getSquares() function that accepts an array parameter and returns a new array that stores the square value of each element in the passed array. A foreach loop is used inside the function to traverse the passed array and store the square value of each element in the new array $squares. Finally, we return the $squares array as the return value of the function.

In the main program, we define a $nums array, which stores five numbers from 1 to 5. We call the getSquares() function and pass in the $nums array as a parameter. The resulting $squares array is a new array composed of the square values ​​of each element. Using the print_r() function to print out the $squares array, we can see that its elements correspond to the square values ​​of the corresponding elements of the original array $nums.

Return associative array

In addition to returning the index array, the return statement in PHP can also return another common array type, the associative array. In associative arrays, we use string key values ​​to index array elements. Similarly, to use an associative array as the return value of a function, you only need to return the array name directly in the return statement.

function getUserInfo($name){
    $user = [
        'name' => $name,
        'age' => 25,
        'gender' => 'male'
    ];
    return $user;
}

$userInfo = getUserInfo('Tom');
print_r($userInfo); // Array ( [name] => Tom [age] => 25 [gender] => male )

In the above example, we defined a getUserInfo() function, which accepts a $name parameter of string type and returns an associative array that stores information related to the user, including $ name, $age and $gender. Inside the function, a $user array is first defined and the above three information are stored in it. Finally, we return the $user array as the return value of the function.

In the main program, we call the getUserInfo() function and pass 'Tom' as a parameter. The obtained $userInfo array is the relevant information of the user. By printing the $userInfo array with the print_r() function, we can see that the key value corresponding to each information is displayed correctly.

Return multi-dimensional array

Arrays in PHP also support multi-dimensional arrays, that is, arrays contain arrays. Similar to the first two cases, you only need to return the multi-dimensional array as a whole in the return statement.

function getStudents(){
    $students = [
        [
            'name' => 'Tom',
            'score' => 90
        ],
        [
            'name' => 'Jerry',
            'score' => 80
        ]
    ];
    return $students;
}

$students = getStudents();
print_r($students); 
/* Array ( 
       [0] => Array ( [name] => Tom [score] => 90 ) 
       [1] => Array ( [name] => Jerry [score] => 80 ) 
    ) 
*/

In the above example, we defined a getStudents() function, which returns a multidimensional array containing information about two students. Each student is represented by an associative array, including ' name' and 'score' two pieces of information. Inside the function, a $students array is first defined as a whole, where each element is a student's information. Finally, we return the $students array as the return value of the function.

In the main program, we call the getStudents() function and print out the returned $students array. You can see that it contains two sub-arrays, each sub-array contains information about a student.

Summary

In the above three cases, we successfully returned array type values. In PHP, the return statement can return different types of values, including array types. When a function needs to return multiple values, we can use an array to return them uniformly. When using an array as the return value of a function, you need to ensure that the key values ​​and element types of the array are consistent with the expected results of the program.

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