php array types Explained with Practical Examples

php array types

Working with arrays in PHP? You'll quickly discover there are different php array types that serve different purposes. Let me break them down in simple terms with practical examples.

The 3 Essential php array types

1. Indexed Arrays (Numbered Lists)

These are your basic ordered lists where PHP automatically assigns numeric indexes:

$colors = ['red', 'green', 'blue'];
// Access with:
echo $colors[0]; // Outputs "red"

Perfect for simple ordered collections where position matters.

2. Associative Arrays (Key-Value Pairs)

When you need named keys instead of numbers:

$user = [
    'name' => 'Jamie',
    'email' => 'jamie@example.com',
    'active' => true
];
// Access with:
echo $user['name']; // Outputs "Jamie"

I use these constantly for configuration data and database records.

3. Multidimensional Arrays

Arrays containing other arrays - great for complex data:

$products = [
    [
        'id' => 101,
        'name' => 'Wireless Mouse',
        'price' => 24.99
    ],
    [
        'id' => 102,
        'name' => 'Keyboard',
        'price' => 34.99
    ]
];
// Access with:
echo $products[0]['name']; // Outputs "Wireless Mouse"

When to Use Each php array type

Array Type	Best For	Example Use
Indexed	Simple ordered lists	Menu items, color palettes
Associative	Named properties	User data, settings
Multidimensional	Complex relationships	Product catalogs, nested data

Pro Tips for Working with php array types

• Use array_merge() to combine arrays
• count() tells you how many elements are in an array
• PHP 7.4+ allows type hints like array and ?array
• Always check if a key exists with isset() before accessing

Real-World Example

Here's how I might use all three php array types together:

$config = [
    'site_name' => 'My Blog', // Associative
    'categories' => ['Tech', 'Travel', 'Food'], // Indexed
    'recent_posts' => [ // Multidimensional
        [
            'title' => 'PHP Arrays Guide',
            'views' => 1024
        ],
        [
            'title' => 'Responsive Design',
            'views' => 768
        ]
    ]
];

Understanding these php array types will make your PHP code more organized and efficient. Start noticing where each type fits best in your projects!