PHP - array_slice() Function

September 14, 2024

Categories: PHP Functions, PHP Reference, Reference

Quick Reference

The PHP array_slice() function returns selected parts of an array.

If the optional preserve_keys is set to true, numeric keys are preserved. Non-numeric keys are not affected by this setting and will always be preserved.

<?php
$a = array('Car 1' => 'Lamborghini', 'Car 2' => 'Ferrari', 'Car 3' => 'Maserati');
print_r(array_slice($a, 1, 2));
?>

Note

Arrays count starting from zero NOT one. So item 1 is position [0], item 2 is position [1], and item 3 is position [2] … and so on.

Output

Array ( [Car 2] => Ferrari [Car 3] => Maserati )

Syntax

array_slice(array, start, length, preserve_keys)

Parameters

Parameter	Description
array	Specifies an array (required)
start	Specifies where the function will start the slice; 0 = the first element; if this value is set to a negative number, the function will start slicing from the last element (-2 would start at the second from the last element (required)
length	Specifies the length of the returned array; if this value is set to a negative number, the function will stop slicing that far from the last element; f this value is not set, the function will return all elements, starting from the position set by the start parameter
preserve_keys	Specifies if the function should preserve the numeric keys of the array or not; non-numeric keys are not affected by this setting and will always be preserved true false (default)

PHP Notes:

When using PHP, single or double quotation marks are acceptable and work identically to one another; choose whichever you prefer, and stay consistent
Arrays count starting from zero NOT one; so item 1 is position [0], item 2 is position [1], and item 3 is position [2] … and so on

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