php array_shift vs unset in associative array

Question

Hi what is the difference between array_shift and unset in associative array?

I understand how in a normal array, if you use array_shift, the key is still there and only the first value goes away but in associative array, I don't see any difference between array_shift and unset.

below is the code example:

    $a=array("a"=>"red","b"=>"green","c"=>"blue");
    $key=key($a);
    unset($a[$key]);
    print_r ($a);

    //result: Array ( [b] => green [c] => blue )

    $b=array("a"=>"red","b"=>"green","c"=>"blue");
    array_shift($b);
    print_r ($b);

    //result: Array ( [b] => green [c] => blue )

array_shift() is specifically for shifting the element off the beginning of the array, and returning it. unset() unsets a variable. read the documentation - php.net/manual/en/function.array-shift.php - php.net/manual/en/function.unset.php — billyonecan
– billyonecan, Commented Aug 3, 2016 at 9:12
You're right, both versions achieve the same things. Sometimes there are several ways to achieve one result. — Jonny
– Jonny, Commented Aug 3, 2016 at 10:07
But what is the best way? My feeling is that with array_shift I could save a step to get the data and clean it from the array. If you don't want the first data, with unset you can do it easily. — José González
– José González, Commented Feb 6, 2024 at 11:36

Julien Lachal · Accepted Answer · 2016-08-03 09:12:13Z

1

array_shift will return the head of your array (in this instance entry "a")

while unset will remove an element by its key, say unset($a['b']) will leave you with Array ( [a] => red [c] => blue )

answered Aug 3, 2016 at 9:12

Julien Lachal

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