Why create an empty array?

[heavyEddie]

I've been working with PHP for about 9 months now.  I'm starting to look inside many other scripts and comparing to my own.  I've noticed many times folks will create an empty array.  Why?  Does this increase speed?

[CheesierAngel]

It does not increase speed but let the programmer now in advance that the variable will be an array.
Once it is initialized as an array you can easly add new element to the array.

[code]
<?php
// Initialize empty array
$vars = array();

// Add elements to the array
while ($counter < $maxCounter) {
$vars[] = "This is element: $counter";
}
?>
[/code]

[kenrbnsn]

I use it to make sure I know that any previous contents of an array have been cleared, especially when I'm using temporary arrays.

Ken

[heavyEddie]

Thanks for the quick responses.

[printf]

You should always initialize it before you try to fill it. Sure you can set error reporting to not display the [b]undefined notice[/b], but you should always initialize any array() that might be used. It just good programming logic.

printf

[taith]

$vars = array(); is completly unnessecary as

[code]
$vars[] = '';
[/code]

works just the same without being told to be an array... its only used as a placeholder for programmers... however, if the $vars is already a string, it will give errors...

[Jenk]

[quote author=taith link=topic=116159.msg473141#msg473141 date=1164384746]
$vars = array(); is completly unnessecary as

[code]
$vars[] = '';
[/code]

works just the same without being told to be an array... its only used as a placeholder for programmers... however, if the $vars is already a string, it will give errors...
[/quote]It will give an error just as described in the post above yours, so please stop giving incorrect information.

[wildteen88]

[quote author=taith link=topic=116159.msg473141#msg473141 date=1164384746]
$vars = array(); is completly unnessecary as

[code]
$vars[] = '';
[/code]

works just the same without being told to be an array... its only used as a placeholder for programmers... however, if the $vars is already a string, it will give errors...
[/quote]
$var = array(); and $var[] = ''; is not the same. The latter creates an array with an emtpy item. Where as $var = array(); creates just an empty array. I agree too it is good programming practice to initiate your variables first before filling them.