How to pass an array into a function, and return the results with an array

Question

So I\'m trying to learn how to pass arrays through a function, so that I can get around PHP\'s inability to return multiple values. Haven\'t been able to get anything to work so

Answer 1

function foo(Array $array)
{
     return $array;
}

Answer 2

You're passing the array into the function by copy. Only objects are passed by reference in PHP, and an array is not an object. Here's what you do (note the &)

function foo(&$arr) { # note the &
  $arr[3] = $arr[0]+$arr[1]+$arr[2];
}
$waffles = array(1,2,3);
foo($waffles);
echo $waffles[3]; # prints 6

That aside, I'm not sure why you would do that particular operation like that. Why not just return the sum instead of assigning it to a new array element?

Answer 3

Another way is:

$NAME = "John";
$EMAIL = "John@gmail.com";
$USERNAME = "John123";
$PASSWORD = "1234";
$array = Array ("$NAME","$EMAIL","$USERNAME","$PASSWORD");
function getAndReturn (Array $array){
    return $array;
}
print_r(getAndReturn($array));

Answer 4

I always return multiple values by using a combination of list() and array()s:

function DecideStuffToReturn() {
    $IsValid = true;
    $AnswerToLife = 42;

    // Build the return array.
    return array($IsValid, $AnswerToLife);
}

// Part out the return array in to multiple variables.
list($IsValid, $AnswerToLife) = DecideStuffToReturn();

You can name them whatever you like. I chose to keep the function variables and the return variables the same for consistency but you can call them whatever you like.

See list() for more information.

Answer 5

Try

$waffles = foo($waffles);

Or pass the array by reference, like suggested in the other answers.

In addition, you can add new elements to an array without writing the index, e.g.

$waffles = array(1,2,3); // filling on initialization

or

$waffles = array();
$waffles[] = 1;
$waffles[] = 2;
$waffles[] = 3;

On a sidenote, if you want to sum all values in an array, use array_sum()

Answer 6

You are not able to return 'multiple values' in PHP. You can return a single value, which might be an array.

function foo($test1, $test2, $test3)
{
    return array($test1, $test2, $test3);
}
$test1 = "1";
$test2 = "2";
$test3 = "3";

$arr = foo($test1, $test2, $test3);

$test1 = $arr[0];
$test2 = $arr[1];
$test3 = $arr[2];