Array_unshift()

Are you looking for a powerful function to add new elements to the beginning of an array in PHP? Look no further than the array_unshift() function. With this function, you can easily add one or more elements to the beginning of an array, without having to re-index the array or move existing elements.

What is array_unshift()?

The array_unshift() function is a built-in function in PHP that is used to add one or more elements to the beginning of an array. This function does not replace the existing elements in the array, but instead, it moves them to a higher index position to accommodate the new elements.

Syntax:

The syntax for the array_unshift() function is:

array_unshift(array, value1, value2, value3...)

The array parameter is the array you want to modify, and the value1, value2, value3, etc. parameters are the values you want to add to the beginning of the array.

Example:

Let's take a look at an example of how to use the array_unshift() function:

<?php

$fruits = array("apple", "banana", "cherry");
array_unshift($fruits, "orange", "lemon");
print_r($fruits);

?>

In this example, we first define an array called $fruits, which contains three elements: "apple", "banana", and "cherry". We then use the array_unshift() function to add two new elements to the beginning of the array: "orange" and "lemon". Finally, we use the print_r() function to output the contents of the modified array. The output will be:

Array
(
    [0] => orange
    [1] => lemon
    [2] => apple
    [3] => banana
    [4] => cherry
)

Advantages of array_unshift():

There are several advantages to using the array_unshift() function. Here are some of the main benefits:

1. No need to re-index the array: When you use the array_unshift() function, it automatically moves the existing elements to higher index positions, so there's no need to manually re-index the array.

2. Easy to add new elements: With the array_unshift() function, you can easily add new elements to the beginning of an array, without having to worry about overwriting existing elements or causing issues with the array's index positions.

3. More efficient than manual re-indexing: If you were to manually re-index an array to add new elements to the beginning, it would be a time-consuming and inefficient process. With the array_unshift() function, you can accomplish the same task in just one line of code.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the array_unshift() function is a powerful tool for adding new elements to the beginning of an array in PHP. With its easy-to-use syntax and efficient functionality, it is a great option for developers who need to add new elements to an array without overwriting existing elements or re-indexing the entire array. So go ahead and try it out in your next PHP project!