Easiest way to check if PHP array is not empty [closed]

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How do I check that a PHP array is not empty?

// If $columns array is not empty...

foreach ($columns as $column) {
  echo $column;
}

I dont know why the vote to close... So far, three different answers with three different solutions. This is obviously not as simple a question as it first appears. I know there are many ways of checking for an empty array, but there is a lot of debate as to the simplest, most efficient way of doing it. — MultiDev
– MultiDev, Commented Nov 19, 2013 at 20:53
It's actually a very simple question (despite there being several different answers, each of which will work), and well documented in the php docs, which is probably why the vote to close — Mark Baker
– Mark Baker, Commented Nov 19, 2013 at 20:55
I don't think it gets much simpler than if($array). count would be bad for large arrays, however empty is a good solution as well. — Rogue
– Rogue, Commented Nov 19, 2013 at 20:56
Related/Duplicate: stackoverflow.com/questions/15202553/… and stackoverflow.com/questions/4014327/… and stackoverflow.com/questions/2216110/… — Justin
– Justin, Commented Nov 19, 2013 at 20:56

Rogue · Accepted Answer · 2013-11-19 20:52:20Z

2

Why bother with functions? Empty arrays will simply return false:

if ($array) {
    // array is not empty
}

answered Nov 19, 2013 at 20:52

Rogue

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sybear · Accepted Answer · 2013-11-19 20:51:21Z

1

Very simple: using empty() function.

if (!empty($columns)){
   foreach ($columns as $column) {
      echo $column;
   }
}

Also can be used with other types than array.

answered Nov 19, 2013 at 20:51

sybear

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Community · Accepted Answer · 2023-11-17 20:33:26Z

1

One way is to use count()

if (count($columns) > 0) {
    foreach ($columns as $column) {
        echo $column;
    }
}

edited Nov 17, 2023 at 20:33

CommunityBot

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answered Nov 19, 2013 at 20:51

John Conde

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