How to remove the first character of string in PHP?

Question

$str=\':this is a applepie :) \';

How to use PHP, Remove the first character :

Answer 1

Update

After further tests, I don't recommend using this any more. It caused a problem for me when using the updated string in a MySQL query, and changing to substr fixed the problem. I thought about deleting this answer, but comments suggest it is quicker somehow so someone might have a use for it. You may find trimming the updated string resolves string length issues.

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Sometimes you don't need a function:

$str[0] = '';

For example:

$str = 'AHello';
$str[0] = '';
echo $str; // 'Hello'

This method modifies the existing string rather than creating another.