Add element to array with Reference

Question

I am trying to build a function for easier array manipulation in my project.

I want to do it by passing reference. Hoping to be more productive and resource-saving way.

function add_element ($element=array(),&$data) {
    if(!empty($data)) {
      $data += $element;
    }
    return true;
  }

// $element can be array('one','two') or array('color'=>'blue','type'=>'card')

I am not experienced with references, thanks for any tip.

Answer 1

I believe that this will have the effect that you're looking for. We are passing in the original array as the reference and it adds whatever data you pass to it to the original array.

function add_element (&$original_array = array(), $data) {

  // Cast an array if it isn't already
  !is_array($data) ? (array)$data : null;

  if(!empty($data)) {
    $original_array = $original_array + $data;
  }
  return true;
}

$names_array = array("first_name" => "bob");
$data_to_add = array("second_name" => "fred");

// Add new variable
add_element($names_array, $data_to_add);

// Show the contents
print_r($names_array);

See it live here: http://www.tehplayground.com/#DJXofIeQK

However, I have just taken what you posted as a starting point there. The above is basically the same as the following, which requires no special function:

$names_array = array("first_name" => "bob");
$data_to_add = array("second_name" => "fred");

// Add new variable
$names_array = $names_array + $data_to_add;

// Show the contents
print_r($names_array);

See it here: http://www.tehplayground.com/#PAbhOHaPT