php

How to echo an array in PHP?

In this tutorial, we are going to see how to echo an array in PHP. Versus to “normal” variables, the values associated with array keys cannot always be output via echo():
 

Example :
<?php
    $var = 'January';
 
    $month1 = array('January', 'February', 'March');
    
    $month2 = array('jan'=>'January', 'feb'=>'February', 'ma'=>'March');
    
    $month3 = array(
            'start'=>array('January', 'February'),
            'end'=>array('November', 'December')
        );
 
    echo("The first month of the year is $var.\n"); // output: The first month of the year is January.
    
    echo("The first month of the year is $month1[0].\n"); // output: (...) January.
    
    //echo("The first month of the year is $month2['jan'].\n"); // Fatal Error
    
    echo("The first month of the year is $month2[jan].\n"); // no fatal error, although this notation is bad style; output: (...) January.

    echo("The first month of the year is the $month3[start][0].\n"); // output: (...) Array[0].
 
    // if the array is not embedded in a string, it can be output without issues:
    echo($month3['start'][0]); // output: January
?>

Output:

The first month of the year is January.
The first month of the year is January.
The first month of the year is January.
The first month of the year is the Array[0].
January
 
So when outputting multidimensional arrays, the normal notation causes problems.
This can be resolved in two ways: Either you surround the array at this point in the string with curly braces or you break the string:

<?php
    $month3 = array(
            'start'=>array('January', 'February'),
            'end'=>array('November', 'December')
        );
    // With curly braces 
    echo("The first month of the year is {$month3['start'][0]}.\n");
 
    // Break the string or connecting the strings
    echo("The first month of the year is ".$month3['start'][0].".");
?>

Output:

The first month of the year is January.
The first month of the year is January.

If you use single quotation marks, the notation with curly braces cannot be used, which means only the connection of several strings remains.

<?php
    $month3 = array(
            'start'=>array('January', 'February'),
            'end'=>array('November', 'December')
        );
    // With curly brackets
    echo('The first month of the year is {$month3[start][0]}');
    echo("\n");
 
    // Break the string
    echo('The first month of the year is '.$month3['start'][0].'.');
?>

Output:

The first month of the year is {$month3[start][0]}
The first month of the year is January.
PHP MCQ - Multiple Choice Questions and AnswersPHP MCQ – Multiple Choice Questions and Answers – Basics – Part 1This collection of PHP Multiple Choice Questions and Answers (MCQs): Quizzes & Practice Tests with Answer focuses on “PHP basic”.   1. In PHP, variables…Read More mcqMCQPractice competitive and technical Multiple Choice Questions and Answers (MCQs) with simple and logical explanations to prepare for tests and interviews.Read More

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *