PHP Array Syntax Showdown: Should You Stick with `array()` or Embrace `[]`?

PHP's Array Syntax Dilemma: array() vs. []

In the realm of PHP, developers often face a choice between two array syntaxes: the traditional array() and the newer [] syntax. While both serve the same purpose of creating arrays, there are subtle differences to consider.

Syntax Differences and Compatibility

The primary distinction between array() and [] lies in their syntax. array() employs parentheses to enclose key-value pairs, while [] relies on square brackets.

For versions of PHP prior to 5.4, only array() is supported. However, [] became permissible in PHP 5.4 and is now widely accepted in modern PHP programming.

Example:

The following code snippet, written for PHP 5.4 and above, demonstrates the use of both syntaxes:

<code class="php">$data1 = array('name' => 'test', 'id' => 'theID');

$data2 = ['name' => 'test', 'id' => 'theID'];</code>

Both $data1 and $data2 represent identical arrays.

Short PHP Tag and Ech0ing

The short PHP tag = is another syntax variation that can be used for echoing. It behaves similarly to the full

However, it's important to note that = is only available if it is enabled in the php.ini configuration file. Furthermore, this syntax is deprecated in PHP 7.0 and later, and its use is discouraged for new projects.

Recommendation

When creating arrays in PHP, it's generally recommended to use the [] syntax as it is more concise and aligns with the language's modern best practices. Ensure that the version of PHP used supports this syntax or consider using the traditional array() notation if necessary.

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