Php function creates new array (data) from input or references to it?

Question

I have a general php question. I have an array of size lets say size of 3. And I pass it as an input to a function in an included file. So, does it copy the array (more memory) or actually make the function to references it ?

$arr = array('a', 'b', 'c');
include(functions.php);    //doSomething() resides here
$result = doSomething($arr);

You can assume it will create a copy unless prepended with ampersand. — frz3993, Apr 26 '16 at 17:33
Copies unless you define the function arg as a reference `&$arg`. http://php.net/manual/en/functions.arguments.php — AbraCadaver, Apr 26 '16 at 17:33

Maxi Schvindt · Accepted Answer · 2016-04-26T17:44:53.570

1

$result = array('a', 'b', 'c');
include(functions.php);    //doSomething() resides here
doSomething($result);

and define

function doSomething(&$result) {/* code */}

And not use more memory..

edited Apr 26 '16 at 17:44

answered Apr 26 '16 at 17:39

Maxi Schvindt

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Php function creates new array (data) from input or references to it?

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