Deleting an element from an array in PHP

Question

Is there a simple PHP method for removing a certain member from an array so that foreach ($array) no longer includes it?

Setting it to null seemed like it might solve the problem, however, it does not appear to.

Answer 1

Deleting a single array element

Use unset() or, alternatively, array splice to remove just one element from an array ().

You can use array search() to find the key if you know the value but not the key to delete the element. Given that array search only gives the first hit, this only functions if the element does not appear more than once.

unset()
Keep in mind that the keys of the array won't change if you call unset(). Use array values() following unset() to reindex the keys. This will change all of the keys to numerically enumerated keys beginning with 0.

Code:

$array = [0 => "a", 1 => "b", 2 => "c"];
unset($array[1]);
          // ↑ Key which you want to delete

Output:

[
    [0] => a
    [2] => c
]

Deleting multiple array elements

Depending on whether you know the values or the keys of the items you wish to delete, you can use the functions array diff() or array diff key() if you want to delete many array members without repeatedly calling unset() or array splice().

array diff() technique
Use "array diff" if you know the values of the array members you want to remove (). The keys of the array won't change, just like with unset() before it.

Code:

$array = [0 => "a", 1 => "b", 2 => "c", 3 => "c"];
$array = \array_diff($array, ["a", "c"]);
                          // └────────┘
                          // Array values which you want to delete

Output:

[
    [1] => b
]

I hope this helps you.