Using PHP list() to Assign Array Values to Variables

In PHP, assigning values from an indexed array to several variables can be done with the extract() function, but list() offers a more convenient syntax for indexed arrays. This article introduces the list() construct and shows how to use it.

The syntax of list() is: list ( mixed $var , mixed ...$vars = ? ) = $arr where $arr is the source array, $var represents a single variable, $vars represents additional variables, and the expression returns the specified array.

1. List all array variables:

<?php
$info = array('coffee', 'brown', 'caffeine');
list($drink, $color, $power) = $info;
echo "$drink is $color and $power makes it special";
?>

Output: coffee is brown and caffeine makes it special 2. Omit one variable:

<?php
$info = array('coffee', 'brown', 'caffeine');
list($drink, , $power) = $info;
echo "$drink has $power.";
?>

Output: coffee has caffeine. 3. Use only the third variable:

<?php
$info = array('coffee', 'brown', 'caffeine');
list( , , $power) = $info;
echo "I need $power!";
?>

Output: I need caffeine! 4. list() cannot operate on strings:

<?php
$info = array('coffee', 'brown', 'caffeine');
list($bar) = "abcde";
var_dump($bar); // NULL
?>