php man page for array

ARRAY(3)								 1								  ARRAY(3)

array - Create an array

SYNOPSIS
       array array ([mixed  $...])

DESCRIPTION
	Creates an array. Read the section on the array type for more information on what an array is.

PARAMETERS
	      o $...
		-  Syntax  "index  => values", separated by commas, define index and values. index may be of type string or integer. When index is
		omitted, an integer index is automatically generated, starting at 0. If index is an integer, next generated index will be the big-
		gest  integer  index  +  1. Note that when two identical index are defined, the last overwrite the first.  Having a trailing comma
		after the last defined array entry, while unusual, is a valid syntax.

RETURN VALUES
	Returns an array of the parameters. The parameters can be given an index with the => operator. Read the section on the array type for more
       information on what an array is.

EXAMPLES
	The following example demonstrates how to create a two-dimensional array, how to specify keys for associative arrays, and how to skip-and-
       continue numeric indices in normal arrays.

       Example #1

	      array(3) example

	      <?php
	      $fruits = array (
		  "fruits"  => array("a" => "orange", "b" => "banana", "c" => "apple"),
		  "numbers" => array(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6),
		  "holes"   => array("first", 5 => "second", "third")
	      );
	      ?>

       Example #2

	      Automatic index with array(3)

	      <?php
	      $array = array(1, 1, 1, 1,  1, 8 => 1,  4 => 1, 19, 3 => 13);
	      print_r($array);
	      ?>

	      The above example will output:

	      Array
	      (
		  [0] => 1
		  [1] => 1
		  [2] => 1
		  [3] => 13
		  [4] => 1
		  [8] => 1
		  [9] => 19
	      )

	Note that index '3' is defined twice, and keep its final value of 13. Index 4 is defined after index 8, and next  generated  index  (value
       19) is 9, since biggest index was 8.

	This example creates a 1-based array.

       Example #3

	      1-based index with array(3)

	      <?php
	      $firstquarter = array(1 => 'January', 'February', 'March');
	      print_r($firstquarter);
	      ?>

	      The above example will output:

	      Array
	      (
		  [1] => January
		  [2] => February
		  [3] => March
	      )

	As  in Perl, you can access a value from the array inside double quotes. However, with PHP you'll need to enclose your array between curly
       braces.

       Example #4

	      Accessing an array inside double quotes

	      <?php

	      $foo = array('bar' => 'baz');
	      echo "Hello {$foo['bar']}!"; // Hello baz!

	      ?>

NOTES
       Note

	      array(3) is a language construct used to represent literal arrays, and not a regular function.

SEE ALSO
       array_pad(3), list(3), count(3), range(3), foreach, The array type.

PHP Documentation Group 														  ARRAY(3)