How Can I Let a PHP Function Access and Modify an External Array?

Granting Functions Access to External Variables

Your question revolves around providing a function with access to an external array, allowing it to modify and append values. By default, functions do not have direct access to variables defined outside their scope.

To grant access, you can utilize the global keyword within the function.

function someFunction(){
    global $myArr;
    $myVal = //some processing here to determine value of $myVal
    $myArr[] = $myVal;
}

While this approach grants access, using global variables is generally discouraged as it compromises the function's independence. A more preferred technique is to return the modified array from the function.

function someFunction(){
    $myArr = array();       // At first, you have an empty array
    $myVal = //some processing here to determine value of $myVal
    $myArr[] = $myVal;      // Put that $myVal into the array
    return $myArr;
}

$result = someFunction();

Alternatively, you can have your function accept the array as a parameter and modify it by reference.

function someFunction(array & $myArr){
    $myVal = //some processing here to determine value of $myVal
    $myArr[] = $myVal;      // Put that $myVal into the array
}

$myArr = array( ... );
someFunction($myArr);  // The function will receive $myArr, and modify it

This approach maintains the function's independence while allowing it to operate on the external array. For further information, refer to the PHP manual sections on Function Arguments and Returning Values.

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