PHP array_slice() function is used to extract a portion of an array.
Syntax
array_slice(array,start,length,preserve)
Parameters
array(required): This parameter is an input array.
start(required): It Specifies where the function will start the slice: 0th index = the first element.
length(optional): It is a numeric value. If this value is set to a negative number, the function will start slicing from the end of the array.
preserve(optional): It can take boolean parameter:
- true – Preserve keys.
- false -Reset keys(Default).
Return value
It returns the selected or the sliced parts of the array.
Visual Representation
Example 1: How to Use array_slice() function
<?php
$arr = ["Apple","Microsoft","Amazon","Alphabet","Meta"];
echo "Before slicing : \n";
print_r($arr);
$extractedArr = array_slice($arr, 2);
echo "After slicing : \n";
print_r($extractedArr);Output
Before slicing :
Array
(
[0] => Apple
[1] => Microsoft
[2] => Amazon
[3] => Alphabet
[4] => Meta
)
After slicing :
Array
(
[0] => Amazon
[1] => Alphabet
[2] => Meta
)Example 2: Using a length parameter
<?php
$arr = ["Apple","Microsoft","Amazon","Alphabet","Meta"];
echo "Before slicing : \n";
print_r($arr);
$extractedArr = array_slice($arr, 1, 3);
echo "After slicing : \n";
print_r($extractedArr);
Output
Before slicing :
Array
(
[0] => Apple
[1] => Microsoft
[2] => Amazon
[3] => Alphabet
[4] => Meta
)
After slicing :
Array
(
[0] => Microsoft
[1] => Amazon
[2] => Alphabet
)Example 3: Using a negative start parameter
<?php
$arr = ["Apple","Microsoft","Amazon","Alphabet","Meta"];
echo "Before slicing : \n";
print_r($arr);
$extractedArr = array_slice($arr, -2, 2);
echo "After slicing : \n";
print_r($extractedArr);
Output
Before slicing :
Array
(
[0] => Apple
[1] => Microsoft
[2] => Amazon
[3] => Alphabet
[4] => Meta
)
After slicing :
Array
(
[0] => Alphabet
[1] => Meta
)In this example, The function extracts a slice from the array starting from the second-to-last element (as specified by -2) and includes up to 2 elements. So it returns 2 elements “Alphabet” and “Meta”.
Example 4: Set the preserve parameter to true
<?php
$arr = ["Apple","Microsoft","Amazon","Alphabet","Meta"];
echo "Before slicing : \n";
print_r($arr);
$extractedArr = array_slice($arr, 1, 3, true);
echo "After slicing : \n";
print_r($extractedArr);
Output
Before slicing :
Array
(
[0] => Apple
[1] => Microsoft
[2] => Amazon
[3] => Alphabet
[4] => Meta
)
After slicing :
Array
(
[1] => Microsoft
[2] => Amazon
[3] => Alphabet
)In this example, preserve parameter is true means the original array keys are preserved. This output shows three elements starting from the element with key 1 (“Microsoft“), including their original keys [1],[2], and [3].
Example 5: Using Associative Array
<?php
$arr = [
'a' => 'Apple',
'b' => 'Microsoft',
'c' => 'Amazon',
'd' => 'Alphabet',
'e' => 'Facebook'];
$extractedArr = array_slice($arr, 0, 2);
print_r($extractedArr);Output
Array
(
[a] => Apple
[b] => Microsoft
)
Krunal Lathiya is a seasoned Computer Science expert with over eight years in the tech industry. He boasts deep knowledge in Data Science and Machine Learning. Versed in Python, JavaScript, PHP, R, and Golang. Skilled in frameworks like Angular and React and platforms such as Node.js. His expertise spans both front-end and back-end development. His proficiency in the Python language stands as a testament to his versatility and commitment to the craft.
