php: issue with Using Reference Arrays

Question

<?php 
$fruits = array(' appLE', 'pear3', 'banana--');
$vegetables = array('pea', 'broccoli   ');
$processArr = array(&$fruits, &$vegetables);
foreach($processArr as &$array)
    foreach($array as &$item)
    {
        $item = preg_replace('/[^a-z]/i', '', $item);
        $item = ucwords(strtolower($item));
    }
echo '<pre>';
print_r($fruits);
print_r($vegetables);

Result:

Array
(
    [0] => Apple
    [1] => Pear
    [2] => Banana
)
Array
(
    [0] => Pea
    [1] => Broccoli
)

Question:

I know this one $processArr = array(&$fruits, &$vegetables);, means pass reference of $fruits, $vegetables, if $processArr changed, it will also change $fruits, $vegetables, but I do not understand why also use & in foreach, anyone can explain to me? thanks.

foreach($processArr as &$array)
        foreach($array as &$item)

Good question and well asked

We0
– We0

2013-08-16 09:25:56 +00:00
Commented Aug 16, 2013 at 9:25 — We0
– We0, Commented Aug 16, 2013 at 9:25

hsz · Accepted Answer · 2013-08-16 09:19:08Z

3

& in foreach allows modifying element in an array using reference. If you do not use reference, to modify value, you have to use array keys.

foreach ( $data as &$element ) {
  $element = $element + 'foo';
}

equals

foreach ( $data as $key => $element ) {
  $data[$key] = $element + 'foo';
}

answered Aug 16, 2013 at 9:19

hsz

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