access first element of array

Question

I've got something but still it isn't working like I want it to work.

I've got an array

    $values = array(
    $aV=>$aP, 
    $bV=>$bP, 
    $cV=>$cP, 
    $dV=>$dP
);

then I sort it like this ` arsort($values);

the result is Array ( [geel] => 28 [groen] => 20 [rood] => 20 [blauw] => 12 )

Now I want to acces the first / second / tird / fourth element to pass it on So I want $values[0] to be the first element. In this case Geel 28. But if I try to echo $values[0] it says Undefined offset: 0 (same with 1/2/3 etc). Obviously because I've got no [0] set but how can I set [0] to the first element in the array (which is different each time. the value geel isn't always [0] but I need the first element (with the lowest number) to be [0] so I can echo $values[0] to be the first element of the array with the lowest number

[http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1921421/get-the-first-element-of-an-array](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1921421/get-the-first-element-of-an-array) — Murad Hasan, May 17 '16 at 11:19
For what purpose must you directly access a specific element? How about *looping* over all elements in turn? `foreach ($values as $key => $value) ..` — deceze, May 17 '16 at 11:24
@FrayneKonok array_keys($values) returns the same `array` as the regular `print_r($values)` — answer_me, May 17 '16 at 11:29
Thanks @FrayneKonok I used that one together wit the comment of splash58 and it SEEMS to work. I'm gonna try it out. Thanks for the help — answer_me, May 17 '16 at 11:33
When you say you want the _first,second third and last_ does that mean you have an array that is larger that 4 occurances or do you mean you want all the occurances and the array in question is only 4 occurances — RiggsFolly, May 17 '16 at 11:43

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered May 17 '16 at 11:32

If you need access to the index and the value of your array, then a foreach loop can do that for you

$values = array($aV=>$aP,  $bV=>$bP,  $cV=>$cP, $dV=>$dP );

foreach ( $values as $idx => $val ) {
    echo "Index is $idx and value is $val";
}

With this array you gave as an example

Array ( [geel] => 28 [groen] => 20 [rood] => 20 [blauw] => 12 )

the output would be

Index is geel and value is 28
Index is groen and value is 20
Index is rood and value is 20
Index is blauw and value is 12

Jayesh Chitroda · Answer 2 · 2016-05-17T11:22:36.037

0

Because array key has been set as geel, groen..you can not access like $values[0],$values[1].

You must access like:

First element: $values['geel'] Second element: $values['groen'] etc....

edited May 17 '16 at 11:22

answered May 17 '16 at 11:22

Jayesh Chitroda

4,987
13
18

I know. I updated my question. But how can I acces the first element of the array as `[0]`. because 'geel' 'groen' etc aren't always in the same position of the array. I need to call the first element , second etc wich are all different everytime – answer_me May 17 '16 at 11:23
simply go with #splash58 in your post comment – Murad Hasan May 17 '16 at 11:24

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered May 17 '16 at 11:40

For accessing both values and keys as numeric index you need to use array_values and array_keys

Array:

$values = array(
    $aV=>$aP, 
    $bV=>$bP, 
    $cV=>$cP, 
    $dV=>$dP
);

For the values:

$new_values = array_values($values);

Result:

array($aP, $bP, $cP, $dP);

For the keys:

$keys = array_keys($values);

Result:

array($aV, $bV, $cV, $dV);

Now you can access both the array as numeric keys like: $keys[0] or $new_values[0] and so on.

score -1 · Answer 4 · answered May 17 '16 at 11:22

-1

Don't use the "arrow" indicator to make your arrays, you're probably looking to do this:

$values = array(
    $aV . ' ' . $aP,
    $bV . ' ' . $bP,
    $cV . ' ' . $cP,
    $dV . ' ' . $dP,
);

What you're currently doing is creating an array that looks like this

[
    'Geel' => 28
    // etc.
]

If you really just wanted to get the value of the first element you could use array_shift

answered May 17 '16 at 11:22

Kalkran

324
1
8

I need to get the first, second, third and last element. Everytime – answer_me May 17 '16 at 11:24

access first element of array

4 Answers4