Mysqli fetch_assoc vs fetch_array

Question

When I'm returning one row from a table, to gather the results I usually use e.g.:

$info = $result->fetch_assoc();

What is the difference between that and:

$info = $result->fetch_array();

Is there a reason to use one over the other when returning only one row, or is it just personal preference?

They both return an associative array, my question is: why use one over the other? The manual does not answer that question as far as I can see. — StudioTime, Jan 26 '14 at 08:17
take a look at here http://www.spearheadsoftwares.com/tutorials/php-performance-benchmarking/50-mysql-fetch-assoc-vs-mysql-fetch-array-vs-mysql-fetch-object — Bhavesh G, Jan 26 '14 at 08:28

score 46 · Accepted Answer · edited Jul 07 '16 at 15:34

46

It's all about performance

fetch_array() returns one array with both numeric keys, and associative strings (column names), so here you can either use $row['column_name'] or $row[0]

Where as fetch_assoc() will return string indexed key array and no numeric array so you won't have an option here of using numeric keys like ~~$row[0]~~.

So the latter one is better in performance compared to fetch_array() and obviously using named indexes is far better compared to numeric indexes.

edited Jul 07 '16 at 15:34

Shawn31313

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answered Jan 26 '14 at 08:20

Mr. Alien

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actually, when returning a single row, I wasn't able to use fetch array with the column name. I had to switch to fetch assoc and it istantly worked... – Liquid Core Oct 09 '16 at 19:42
1

_obviously using named indexes is far better compared to numeric indexes_ : this is a personal opinion, not a fact. Usually this is true, however there are situations where it's easier to handle numbered columns. For example if the SQL command is generated automaitcally. – luca.vercelli Feb 24 '21 at 08:55

score 12 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 08 '15 at 19:29

fetch_array returns value with indexing. But Fetch_assoc just returns the the value.

for example fetch_array returns

[0] => 11
[id] => 11
[1] => 2014-12-29
[date] => 2014-12-29

here array location 0 contains 11 also this location name is 'id'.

same things fetch_assoc will returns

[id] => 11
[date] => 2014-12-29

means just returns the value.

score 3 · Answer 3 · edited Sep 11 '15 at 02:49

(PHP 5) From: http://php.net/manual/en/mysqli-result.fetch-array.php

mysqli_result::fetch_array -- mysqli_fetch_array — Fetch a result row as an associative, a numeric array, or both

So effectively, fetch_array() and fetch_assoc() can be essentially equivalent calls. As for performance, I recommend using whichever call that results in more readable code and only be concerned about the performance after you've clearly identified the call as a performance issue. It's more likely that you've got more serious performance issues where you least expect them to be.

score 1 · Answer 4 · edited Jun 12 '18 at 12:57

1

fetch_array will give you key/value pairs and with indexes, where as fetch_assoc will give you only the key/value pairs but not with indexes. For example:

//fetch_array output be like:
[name]=>'someName'
[0]=>'someName'
[email]=>'some@some.com'
[1]=>'some@some.com'

//fetch_assoc output be like

[name]=>'someName'
[email]=>'some@some.com'

edited Jun 12 '18 at 12:57

nixin72

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answered Apr 04 '18 at 15:07

Pradeepa

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Mysqli fetch_assoc vs fetch_array

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