array_unshift doesn't work for me

[hpg4815]

What am i missing?

<?

 

$array = array("apple", "cherry");

$a = array_unshift($array, "banna", "kiwi");

print_r($a);

 

?>

 

 

only results in print_r displaying the number 4?

 

I don't see anyone having the same problem as I, so I can only assume that I have done something wrong.

[rhodesa]

you are using it wrong:

 

<?php
$array = array("apple", "cherry");
array_unshift($array, "banna", "kiwi");
print_r($array);
?>

 

it modifies the array passed. the return value is the new number of elements in the array

[hpg4815]

OK. The example here states the same, but it also states the output to be the array.

http://us3.php.net/manual/en/function.array-unshift.php

 

Which function simply prepends an element on the front of an existing array?

 

What good is Returning the new number of elements in the array? Couldn't I get that info from the sizeof() function?

 

Thanks

[premiso]

Which function simply prepends an element on the front of an existing array?

 

What good is Returning the new number of elements in the array? Couldn't I get that info from the sizeof() function?

 

array_unshift

 

The return value of array_unshift

 

Yes you could get it from sizeof, but why? There is no need to when it is being returned like that.

 

<edit>

The good it does to return that instead of sizeof to know that your elements were added. You can do a check to verify. The array is modified on it's own since it is essentially passed by reference, thus there is no need to return the array cause it is modified without doing that.

 

And the manual does not state the output to be an array:

int array_unshift  ( array &$array  , mixed $var  [, mixed $...  ] )

 

Int is not an array, it is a number.

</edit>

 

<?php
$array = array("apple", "cherry");
$newcount = array_unshift($array, "banna", "kiwi");
echo "The new array count is: $newcount <br /><br />";
print_r($array);
?>

 

Should print 4 then the array.

[hpg4815]

Thank you. I understand now.