Getting the first character of a string with $str[0]

Question

I want to get the first letter of a string and I\'ve noticed that $str[0] works great. I am just not sure whether this is \'good practice\', as that notation is

Answer 1

I've used that notation before as well, with no ill side effects and no misunderstandings. It makes sense -- a string is just an array of characters, after all.