Checking the first element of array, regardless of array indexes

Question

I have a need to check if the elements in an array are objects or something else. So far I did it like this:

if((is_object($myArray[0]))) { ... }

However, on occasion situations dictate that the input array does not have indexes that start with zero (or aren't even numeric), therefore asking for $myArray[0] will generate a Notice, but will also return the wrong result in my condition if the first array element actually is an object (but under another index).

The only way I can think of doing here is a foreach loop where I would break out of it right on the first go.

foreach($myArray as $element) {
   $areObjects = (is_object($element));
   break;
}
if(($areObjects)) { ... }

But I am wondering if there is a faster code than this, because a foreach loop seems unnecessary here.

Check [here](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1921421/get-the-first-element-of-an-array) — Brett Gregson, Jan 16 '15 at 09:10

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 16 '15 at 09:11

2

you can use reset() function to get first index data from array

if(is_object(reset($myArray))){
 //do here
}

answered Jan 16 '15 at 09:11

Girish

11,907
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Att3t · Answer 2 · 2015-01-16T09:25:27.400

0

try this

reset($myArray);
$firstElement = current($myArray);

current gets the element in the current index, therefore you should reset the pointer of the array to the first element using reset

http://php.net/manual/en/function.current.php

http://php.net/manual/en/function.reset.php

edited Jan 16 '15 at 09:25

answered Jan 16 '15 at 09:11

Att3t

466
2
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`Warning: current() expects parameter 1 to be array, string given` – Digital Ninja Jan 16 '15 at 09:23

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 16 '15 at 09:13

0

You could get an array of keys and get the first one:

$keys = array_keys($myArray);
if((is_object($myArray[$keys[0]]))) { ... }

answered Jan 16 '15 at 09:13

Serpes

672
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14

Checking the first element of array, regardless of array indexes

3 Answers3