👋 Hey there, PHP developer! If you’re just getting started with PHP, learning how to work with arrays is a game-changer. Arrays help you store, sort, and manage collections of data — like user names, product lists, or even API results. And to get the most out of them, you need to master the PHP array functions that make data handling a breeze.

In this guide, we’ll break down the most commonly used array functions in PHP, explain what they do in plain English, and show you how to use them with practical examples. Whether you’re coding your first website or diving into backend logic, these functions will save you time and headaches.

Let’s dive in to the essential and most used PHP array functions!

1. array_push() – Add Items to an Array

array_push() is used to add one or more elements to the end of an existing array. It’s like adding items to the end of a list.

🔧 Syntax:

array_push(array &$array, mixed ...$values): int

✅ Example:

$colors = ['red', 'green'];
array_push($colors, 'blue', 'yellow');
print_r($colors);

🧾 Output:

Array ( [0] => red [1] => green [2] => blue [3] => yellow )

2. array_pop() – Remove the Last Item

This function removes the last element of an array and returns it. It’s useful when you’re working with a stack-like structure (LIFO – Last In, First Out).

✅ Example:

$fruits = ['apple', 'banana', 'mango'];
$last = array_pop($fruits);
echo $last; // mango

After using array_pop(), the $fruits array will now contain apple and banana.

3. array_shift() – Remove the First Item

array_shift() removes the first element of an array and shifts the rest of the values down. This is often used in queue-like operations (FIFO – First In, First Out).

✅ Example:

$numbers = [10, 20, 30];
$first = array_shift($numbers);
echo $first; // 10

Now $numbers contains [20, 30].

4. array_unshift() – Add Items to the Beginning

Use this function to add one or more items to the beginning of an array, which shifts the other elements to higher indexes.

✅ Example:

$team = ['Mike', 'John'];
array_unshift($team, 'Anna');
print_r($team);

🧾 Output:

Array ( [0] => Anna [1] => Mike [2] => John )

Perfect for adding priority items.

5. in_array() – Check if a Value Exists

in_array() is a boolean function that checks if a specific value exists in an array. It returns true if found, false otherwise — great for validations.

✅ Example:

$roles = ['admin', 'editor', 'subscriber'];
if (in_array('admin', $roles)) {
    echo "Admin found!";
}

This is often used for user roles, permissions, etc.

6. array_keys() – Get All Keys from an Array

This function returns all the keys from an associative array. It’s handy when you only need the identifiers and not the values.

✅ Example:

$user = ['name' => 'Tom', 'age' => 30, 'email' => 'tom@example.com'];
$keys = array_keys($user);
print_r($keys);

🧾 Output:

Array ( [0] => name [1] => age [2] => email )

Useful when you’re looping over keys or debugging.

7. array_values() – Get All Values

array_values() gives you just the values of an array, without the keys. Perfect for numeric or value-based operations.

✅ Example:

$user = ['name' => 'Sara', 'age' => 25, 'email' => 'sara@example.com'];
$values = array_values($user);
print_r($values);

🧾 Output:

Array ( [0] => Sara [1] => 25 [2] => sara@example.com )

8. array_merge() – Merge Two or More Arrays

This function merges the elements of one or more arrays into one. If the arrays have the same string keys, later values overwrite the earlier ones.

✅ Example:

$first = ['a', 'b'];
$second = ['c', 'd'];
$combined = array_merge($first, $second);
print_r($combined);

🧾 Output:

Array ( [0] => a [1] => b [2] => c [3] => d )

Be careful: if you merge associative arrays with the same keys, the latter will overwrite the former.

9. array_slice() – Extract a Portion

array_slice() lets you grab a slice of an array based on an offset and length. It’s ideal for pagination or pulling a preview set.

✅ Example:

$letters = ['a', 'b', 'c', 'd', 'e'];
$slice = array_slice($letters, 1, 3);
print_r($slice);

🧾 Output:

Array ( [0] => b [1] => c [2] => d )

Great for pagination or previews.

10. array_filter() – Filter Items with a Callback

This function filters an array based on a callback function. Only values that return true will be included in the final array.

✅ Example:

$numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];
$even = array_filter($numbers, function($n) {
    return $n % 2 == 0;
});
print_r($even);

🧾 Output:

Array ( [1] => 2 [3] => 4 )

11. array_map() – Modify Each Element

array_map() allows you to apply a callback function to each element in the array, returning a new array with the transformed values.

✅ Example:

$nums = [1, 2, 3];
$squared = array_map(function($n) {
    return $n * $n;
}, $nums);
print_r($squared);

🧾 Output:

Array ( [0] => 1 [1] => 4 [2] => 9 )

This is perfect for transformations.

12. array_unique() – Remove Duplicate Values

This function filters out duplicate values and keeps only the first occurrence. It’s especially useful when working with tags, categories, or any user-generated input.

✅ Example:

$tags = ['php', 'html', 'php', 'css'];
$uniqueTags = array_unique($tags);
print_r($uniqueTags);

🧾 Output:

Array ( [0] => php [1] => html [3] => css )

Duplicates begone!

13. count() – Count Elements in an Array

Simple yet powerful. The count() function returns the number of elements in an array. You’ll use this often in loops, validations, and data checks.

✅ Example:

$items = ['pen', 'pencil', 'eraser'];
echo count($items); // 3

You’ll use this a lot — especially in loops and validations.

List of All PHP Array Functions:

🎯 Final Thoughts

Mastering PHP array functions early in your programming journey will make your life a lot easier. These functions aren’t just convenient — they’re essential for writing clean, efficient, and readable code.

Take your time to play around with them, test different use cases, and try combining them to solve problems more effectively. Arrays are powerful, and once you get the hang of these tools, you’ll feel like a real PHP pro!

If you enjoyed this guide, consider bookmarking it for future reference or sharing it with your fellow learners. Keep coding — and have fun doing it!