What is difference using link in function php?

Question

I have a function:

$array_numbers = [];
function uniqueNumber(& $array_numbers, $from, $to) {
    $number = rand($from, $to); 
    if (!in_array($number, $array_numbers)) {
        $array_numbers[] = $number;
    } else { 
        uniqueNumber($array_numbers, $from, $to); 
    }
}

What is reason to use link & $array_numbers in parameter's function?

Result will be the same in pass array $array_numbers without link

It's called "reference" and it's explained here - https://www.php.net/manual/en/language.references.pass.php — Roman Hocke, Oct 26 '19 at 18:31

Dry7 · Accepted Answer · 2019-10-26T19:07:35.567

1

If you use link then array will change outside function

$array_numbers = [];
function uniqueNumber(&$array_numbers) {
    $array_numbers[] = 1;
}

$array_numbers will be contains [1]

$array_numbers = [];
function uniqueNumber($array_numbers) {
    $array_numbers[] = 1;
}

$array_numbers will be empty []

edited Oct 26 '19 at 19:07

answered Oct 26 '19 at 18:28

Dry7

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What is difference using link in function php?

1 Answers1