Arrays: array_shift($arr) or $arr[0]?

Question

Which one would you use?

Basically I only want to get the 1st element from a array, that\'s it.

Answer 1

Well, they do different things.

• array_shift($arr) takes the first element out of the array, and gives it to you.

• $arr[0] just gives it to you... if the array has numeric keys.

An alternative that works for associative arrays too is reset($arr). This does move the array's internal pointer, but unless you're using those functions this is unlikely to affect you.