Add elements to an array in PHP

In this post, we will see how to add elements to an array in PHP.

1. Using `$array[] = $var` syntax

A fairly simple and common approach is to add elements to an array is using the $array[] = $var syntax. This is a recommended approach to add a single element to the array to avoid the overhead of calling a function. It pushes the specified value to the end of the array.

<?php

$arr = [1, 2, 3];

$arr[] = 4;

echo json_encode($arr);

Output: [1,2,3,4]

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The $array[] = $var syntax made it very convenient to insert a key and value pair into an associative array, as shown below:

<?php

$arr = ["a" => "apple", "b" => "ball", "c" => "cat"];

$key = "d";

$value = "dog";

$arr[$key] = $value;

print_r($arr);

/* Output:

Array

(

[a] => apple

[b] => ball

[c] => cat

[d] => dog

)

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2. Using `array_push()` function

The standard and recommended approach to add multiple elements to an array is using the array_push() function. It has basically the same effect as $array[] = $var for each passed value.

Following is a simple example demonstrating this:

<?php

$arr = [1, 2, 3];

array_push($arr, 4, 5);

echo json_encode($arr);

Output: [1,2,3,4,5]

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That’s all about adding elements to an array in PHP.

Add elements to an array in PHP

1. Using $array[] = $var syntax

2. Using array_push() function

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1. Using `$array[] = $var` syntax

2. Using `array_push()` function