PHP Function Arguments - Use an array or not?

Question

I like creating my PHP functions using key=>value pairs (arrays) as arguments instead of individual parameters.

For example, I prefer:

function useless_         


        

Answer 1

Using array_merge() works okay, but using the + operator can be used too; it works the other way, it only adds default values where one hasn't been given yet.

function useless_func(array $params = array())
{
    $params += array(
        'text' => 'default text',
        'text2' => 'default text2',
        'text3' => 'default text3',
    );
}

See also: Function Passing array to defined key

A few things you don't get with using arrays as function arguments is:

1. type checking (only applicable to objects and arrays, but it can be useful and in some cases expected).
2. smart(er) text editors have a code insight feature that will show the arguments a function understands; using arrays takes away that feature, though you could add the possible keys in the function docblock.
3. due to #2 it actually becomes more error prone, because you might mistype the array key.