data structure to add element in associative array

Question

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How are associative arrays implemented in PHP?

Can anybody help me out to understand the data structure behind the associative array.I have tried to find it out from the last couple of days.

Answer 1

It is an ordered hash map. Here is rhe creator of php saying so: http://www.mail-archive.com/internals@lists.php.net/msg59849.html

Answer 2

In computing, a hash table (also hash map) is a data structure used to implement an associative array, a structure that can map keys to values.

Please refer the following wiki link for more details

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_table