getting array values without foreach loop

Question

Is there any way to get all values in one array without using foreach loops, in this example?

<?php 
$foo = array(["type"=>"a"], ["type"=>"b"], ["type"=>"c"]);

The output I need is array("a", "b", "c")

I could accomplish it using something like this

$stack = [];

foreach($foo as $value){
  $stack[] = $value["type"];
}

var_dump($stack);

But, I am looking for options that does not involve using foreach loops.

Do you want to use for loops? – magnetronnie Mar 31 '14 at 11:36 — magnetronnie, Mar 31 '14 at 11:36

Amal Murali · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-31T12:02:30.503

21

If you're using PHP 5.5+, you can use array_column(), like so:

$result = array_column($foo, 'type');

If you want an array with numeric indices, use:

$result = array_values(array_column($foo, 'type'));

If you're using a previous PHP version and can't upgrade at the moment, you can use the Userland implementation of array_column() function written by the same author.

Alternatively, you could also use array_map(). This is basically the same as a loop except that the looping is not explicitly shown.

$result = array_map(function($arr) {
   return $arr['type'];
}, $foo);

edited Mar 31 '14 at 12:02

answered Mar 31 '14 at 11:38

Amal Murali

1

Sadly I am not using 5.5 Which I should be. – iOi Mar 31 '14 at 11:40
1

`array_values()` isn't required here as `array_column()` will return desired array – Alma Do Mar 31 '14 at 11:41
@AlmaDo: I'm aware. I just thought maybe the OP wanted to get an array with numeric indices. – Amal Murali Mar 31 '14 at 11:41
1. link is broken. 2. It's much better to update PHP than using external lib just because of one function – Alma Do Mar 31 '14 at 11:44
array_map is a bit similar to looping imho. I was looking something along by combining `each()` or `array_values()` I guess its not possible. Thanks anyway – iOi Mar 31 '14 at 11:49
@AlmaDo: 1. I was typing it from memory and made a typo :D It's been fixed, thanks! 2. I wouldn't call it a library. It's just a simple function. Take a look at the [code](https://github.com/ramsey/array_column/blob/master/src/array_column.php#L31) if you want. I agree with you that an upgrade is always preferable. But for some folks, a quick upgrade is not *always* possible. ;) – Amal Murali Mar 31 '14 at 12:06
@iOi It's okay! No hard feelings there. I'm glad you solved the problem at hand, nonetheless ;) – Amal Murali Mar 31 '14 at 12:36
@AmalMurali Feel free to jump on board [on the next question if you want](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/22761727/getting-mysql-column-from-the-command-line) – iOi Mar 31 '14 at 12:38

score 5 · Answer 2 · edited Mar 31 '14 at 11:54

5

Either use array_column() for PHP 5.5:

$foo = array(["type"=>"a"], ["type"=>"b"], ["type"=>"c"]);
$result = array_column($foo, 'type');

Or use array_map() for previous versions:

$result = array_map(function($x)
{
   return $x['type'];
}, $foo);

Note: The loop will still be performed, but it will be hidden inside the aforementioned functions.

edited Mar 31 '14 at 11:54

Amal Murali

answered Mar 31 '14 at 11:39

Alma Do

2 Answers2