PHP Array Syntax Parse Error Left Square Bracket "["

Question

I have a function that returns an array. I have another function that just returns the first row, but for some reason, it makes me use an intermediate variable, i.e. this fails:

function f1(/*some args*/) {
    return /*an array*/;
}
function f2(/*some args*/) {
    return f1(/*some args*/)[0];
}

. . . with:

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '[' in util.php on line 10

But, this works:

function f1(/*some args*/) {
    return /*an array*/;
}
function f2(/*some args*/) {
    $temp = f1(/*some args*/);
    return $temp[0];
}

I wasn't able to find anything pertinent online (my searches kept getting confused by people with "?", "{", "<", etc.).

I'm self-taught in PHP - is there some reason why I can't do this directly that I've missed?

possible duplicate of [Is it possible to reference a specific element of an anonymous array in PHP?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/8276224/is-it-possible-to-reference-a-specific-element-of-an-anonymous-array-in-php) — DCoder, Aug 11 '12 at 05:41
possible duplicate of [Access PHP array element with a function?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/396519/access-php-array-element-with-a-function) — Anirudh Ramanathan, Aug 11 '12 at 05:47
Even though this is old, I thought I'd leave a comment. You can return index 0 if you use `current`, like so: `return current( f1(/*some args*/) );`. — Nahydrin, Nov 17 '13 at 05:13

score 25 · Accepted Answer · edited Aug 11 '12 at 05:45

25

You can't use function array dereferencing

return f1(/*some args*/)[0];

until PHP 5.4.0 and above.

edited Aug 11 '12 at 05:45

Michael Hampton

9,737
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answered Aug 11 '12 at 05:40

Ross Smith II

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1

props for revealing the proper term for this, it ended a long search for what should have been a simple question. – Adam Tolley Jan 24 '13 at 19:41

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 11 '12 at 05:42

The reason for this behavior is that PHP functions can't be chained like JavaScript functions can be. Just like document.getElementsByTagNames('a')[0] is possible.

You have to stick to the second approach for PHP version < 5.4

Function array dereferencing has been added, e.g. foo()[0].

http://php.net/manual/en/migration54.new-features.php

PHP Array Syntax Parse Error Left Square Bracket "["

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