10 Essential PHP Functions Every Developer Should Know

Introduction

PHP functions are crucial in web development, enabling efficient code management and powerful functionality.

This blog post highlights ten essential PHP functions every developer should master:

• Efficiency in Coding: PHP functions streamline complex operations into simple, reusable code snippets, boosting productivity.
  
  
• Enhanced Functionality: They allow for more dynamic and interactive websites by simplifying tasks such as form validation and data retrieval.

The purpose of this post is to equip developers with key PHP functions that can significantly improve their coding practices and project outcomes.

These functions are foundational, offering a starting point for building robust and efficient web applications.

Function 1: strlen()

The purpose of strlen() is to return the length of a string.

Example of using strlen() with a code snippet:

$string = "Hello, World!";
$length = strlen($string);
echo "The length of the string is: " . $length;

Common use cases of strlen() include string validation and manipulation.

When it comes to validating user inputs or data, strlen() is an essential function.

For example, when creating a registration form, you can use strlen() to check if the entered password meets the required length. Here’s an example:

$password = $_POST['password'];

if (strlen($password) < 8) {
    echo "Password must be at least 8 characters long.";
} else {
    echo "Valid password.";
}

Here, the strlen() function checks if the password length is less than 8 characters.

If true, it displays an error message. Otherwise, the password is valid.

Another common use case of strlen() is string manipulation.

For instance, you may want to truncate a long string and add an ellipsis at the end. Here’s an example:

$text = "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.";

if (strlen($text) > 20) {
    $shortText = substr($text, 0, 20) . "...";
    echo $shortText;
} else {
    echo $text;
}

In this example, strlen() checks if the $text variable exceeds 20 characters.

If it does, substr() extracts the first 20 characters and appends an ellipsis.

Otherwise, it echoes the original $text.

strlen() is a valuable PHP function for determining the length of strings.

Its common use cases include string validation and manipulation.

By utilizing strlen(), developers can create more robust and error-free applications.

Read: CodeIgniter vs Laravel: Which PHP Framework to Choose?

Function 2: substr()

Purpose of substr()

The substr() function in PHP is used to return a portion of a string.

Example of using substr()

Below is a code snippet demonstrating how to use substr() in PHP:

$string = "Hello, World!";
$substring = substr($string, 7, 5);
echo $substring;

This code will output “World!” as the substring, starting from the 7th position and having a length of 5 characters.

Common use cases of substr()

The substr() function is commonly used for extracting parts of strings or manipulating text.

Some of its use cases include:

substr() extracts specific string portions based on starting position and length.

substr() modifies text by replacing or removing specific portions.

For extracting segments from URLs or file paths, use substr().

To validate and filter user input, substr() checks if a string matches a specific pattern or length.

Combine substr() with other functions to generate random strings of desired length.

substr() commonly displays previews or excerpts of longer texts like blog posts.

Implement pagination by using substr() to divide long content into multiple pages.

Handle encryption or hashing by using substr() to manipulate parts of strings.

Extract specific tags or attributes from HTML or XML data with substr().

Use substr() to manipulate parts of date or time strings for validation and formatting.

The substr() function in PHP provides developers with the flexibility to work with strings and manipulate text effectively.

By understanding its purpose and common use cases, developers can leverage this function to handle various string-related tasks efficiently.

Function 3: array_push()

The purpose of array_push() – to add elements to the end of an array

PHP provides a variety of built-in functions that make our development tasks easier and more efficient.

One such function that every PHP developer should know is array_push().

This function allows us to add elements to the end of an array effortlessly.

Why is this important? Well, arrays are an essential part of almost every programming language, including PHP.

They are used to store multiple values in a single variable, making it easier to manage and manipulate data.

However, there are times when we need to add new elements to an existing array dynamically, and this is where array_push() comes in handy.

Example of how to use array_push() with a code snippet

To understand how array_push() works, let’s consider a scenario where we have an array of fruits, and we want to add a new fruit, “banana”, to the array.

Here’s how we can achieve that using array_push():

$fruits = array("apple", "orange", "mango");
array_push($fruits, "banana");

In this example, we created an array called $fruits containing three fruits – apple, orange, and mango.

Using array_push(), we added “banana” to the end of the $fruits array.

Now, if we were to print the $fruits array, it would contain all four fruits.

Common use cases in building dynamic arrays or adding elements to existing arrays

The array_push() function is commonly used in various scenarios where we need to add elements to arrays dynamically.

Here are a few common use cases:

1. Building dynamic arrays: When we want to create an array whose elements are not known in advance or may change over time, array_push() allows us to add new elements easily. For example, in a shopping cart application, each time a user adds a product, we can use array_push() to add the product to the cart array.
   
   
2. Appending elements to an existing array: Sometimes, we may need to add elements to an array that already contains some data. Instead of manually assigning values to specific array indices, array_push() simplifies the process by automatically adding the element to the end of the array.
   
   
3. Form submissions: In web applications, form submissions often involve handling arrays. When receiving user input that needs to be stored in an array format, array_push() can be used to add the submitted data to an existing array.

The array_push() function is a time-saving tool for PHP developers when it comes to adding elements to arrays.

It enhances the dynamic nature of arrays by allowing for effortless expansion and manipulation of data.

By understanding and utilizing array_push() effectively, developers can efficiently manage their arrays and optimize their code.

In a nutshell, array_push() is an essential PHP function that every developer should know.

With its ability to add elements to the end of an array, this function provides a convenient and efficient way of building dynamic arrays and appending new elements to existing arrays.

By mastering array_push(), developers can unlock the full potential of PHP arrays and streamline their development process.

Read: How to Write ‘Hello World’ in PHP: A Web Development Guide

Function 4: count()

Purpose of count():

The purpose of the count() function in PHP is to count the number of elements in an array.

Example of using count():

Here is an example code snippet that demonstrates how to use the count() function:

$fruits = array("apple", "banana", "orange");
$numberOfFruits = count($fruits);
echo "The number of fruits in the array is: " . $numberOfFruits;

Output:

The number of fruits in the array is: 3

Common use cases of count():

The count() function is commonly used for finding the length of an array or checking if it is empty.

Some common use cases of count() include:

1. Checking if an array is empty:
   
   
2. Looping through an array:
   
   
3. Calculating the average of an array:

The count() function is a valuable tool for any PHP developer as it provides a simple way to manipulate arrays.

By understanding how to use count(), developers can efficiently work with arrays and perform various operations with ease.

Function 5: in_array()

Purpose of in_array(): Checking if a value exists in an array.

The in_array() function is used in PHP to determine whether a given value exists within an array.

Its purpose is to provide a quick and easy way to check if a specific value is present in an array.

Example of using in_array() with a code snippet:

Let’s say we have an array of numbers called $numbers and we want to check if the value 10 exists in it.

We can use the in_array() function as follows:

$numbers = array(5, 10, 15, 20);
if (in_array(10, $numbers)) {
 echo "Value 10 exists in the array.";
} else {
 echo "Value 10 does not exist in the array.";
}

In this example, the in_array() function checks if the value 10 is present in the $numbers array.

If it is, the function returns true and the message “Value 10 exists in the array.” is displayed.

Otherwise, if the value is not found in the array, the function returns false and the message “Value 10 does not exist in the array.” is displayed.

Common use cases of in_array():

1. Searching for specific values in arrays:

The in_array() function is commonly used to search for specific values in an array.

It allows developers to quickly determine whether a value exists in an array without the need for complex loops or manual checks.

For example, you might have an array of usernames and want to check if a given username already exists before adding a new one to the array.

In such cases, in_array() can be used to perform the check efficiently.

2. Checking for duplicates:

Another common use case of in_array() is checking for duplicate values in an array.

By using this function, you can easily determine if a value is already present in the array and prevent duplicate entries.

For instance, if you have an array of emails and want to ensure that no duplicate email addresses are added, you can use in_array() to check if the email already exists in the array before inserting it.

The in_array() function provides a convenient way to search for specific values in arrays and check for duplicates.

It helps streamline code and saves developers time by offering a simple solution to determine the existence of a value within an array.

Read: The Pros and Cons of Learning PHP in 2023

Function 6: date()

The purpose of date() function is to format and retrieve the current date and time.

Example of how to use date() function:

// Retrieve and display the current date and time
$currentDateTime = date("Y-m-d H:i:s");
echo "Current Date and Time: " . $currentDateTime;

Common use cases of date() function:

1. Displaying Dates: The date() function can be used to format and display dates in various formats.
   
   
2. Calculating Time Differences: By using date() function in combination with strtotime() function, you can calculate time differences.
   
   
3. Scheduling Tasks: date() function is often used in scheduling tasks, such as scheduling emails to be sent at specific dates and times.

The date() function in PHP is a very versatile function that allows developers to format and retrieve the current date and time.

By specifying different parameters, you can format the date and time in various ways.

A common way to use the date() function is to retrieve and display the current date and time on a website or application.

This can be done by simply calling the date() function without any parameters, which will return the current date and time in the default format.

For example, the code snippet below retrieves the current date and time and displays it on the webpage:

$currentDateTime = date("Y-m-d H:i:s");
echo "Current Date and Time: " . $currentDateTime;

The above code will output something like:

Current Date and Time: 2022-05-25 14:30:00

In addition to displaying the current date and time, the date() function can also be used to format dates in different ways.

By specifying different format parameters, you can display the date in formats such as “dd-mm-yyyy”, “yyyy-mm-dd”, or “Month day, year”.

Another useful feature of the date() function is its ability to calculate time differences.

By combining the date() function with the strtotime() function, you can calculate the time difference between two dates or times.

For example, if you want to calculate the number of days between two dates, you can do the following:

$date1 = date("Y-m-d");
$date2 = "2022-01-01";
$diff = strtotime($date1) - strtotime($date2);
$days = floor($diff / (60*60*24));
echo "Number of days between $date1 and $date2: " . $days;

The above code will output:

Number of days between 2022-05-25 and 2022-01-01: 144

Lastly, the date() function is often used in scheduling tasks.

For example, if you want to schedule an email to be sent at a specific date and time, you can use the date() function to generate the desired date and time, and then use it in your scheduling logic.

The date() function in PHP is a powerful tool for formatting and retrieving dates and times.

It has a wide range of applications, from simply displaying the current date and time to calculating time differences and scheduling tasks.

Understanding how to use the date() function is essential for any PHP developer.

Function 7: strtolower()

The purpose of strtolower()

The strtolower() function in PHP is used to convert a string to lowercase.

Example of how to use strtolower() with a code snippet

Here is an example of how to use the strtolower() function:

$string = "Hello, World!";
$lowercaseString = strtolower($string);
echo $lowercaseString; // Output: hello, world!

Common use cases in normalizing user input or string comparisons

The strtolower() function is commonly used in normalizing user input or when performing string comparisons.

When dealing with user input, it is important to normalize the data to ensure consistency.

This is especially useful in scenarios where case sensitivity should not affect the outcome, such as comparing usernames or email addresses.

For example, when storing usernames in a database, it is common practice to convert them to lowercase using strtolower().

This ensures that there are no duplicate usernames due to case variations.

When a user attempts to register with a username that only differs in case from an existing username, the strtolower() function helps prevent the creation of duplicate accounts.

Another common use case is when performing string comparisons.

By converting both strings to lowercase using strtolower(), you can eliminate case sensitivity and make the comparison more reliable.

$originalString = "Hello, World!";
$compareString = "hello, world!";

if(strtolower($originalString) === strtolower($compareString)){
    echo "Strings are the same."; // Output: Strings are the same.
} else {
    echo "Strings are different.";
}

In this example, the strtolower() function ensures equality in the comparison, despite the different cases of originalString and compareString.

The strtolower() function is a useful tool in PHP for converting strings to lowercase, making it easier to normalize user input and perform case-insensitive string comparisons.

It helps maintain data consistency and improves the reliability of string operations.

Function 8: explode()

The purpose of explode()

The explode() function is used to split a string into an array based on a delimiter.

Example of how to use explode():

$str = "Hello, World! Welcome to PHP";
// Explode the string using space as the delimiter
$words = explode(" ", $str);
// Output: Array ( [0] => Hello, [1] => World! [2] => Welcome [3] => to [4] => PHP )
print_r($words);

Common use cases of explode():

• Parsing user inputs: Explode() can be used to split user inputs into separate values for further processing or validation. For example, splitting a comma-separated list of email addresses into an array.
  
  
• Handling CSV data: In CSV (Comma-Separated Values) files, explode() can be used to split the data into separate columns.
  
  
• Separating URLs: Explode() can be used to split URLs into different components like domain name, path, query parameters, etc.

The explode() function in PHP provides a convenient way to split strings into arrays based on a specified delimiter.

It is a versatile function that can be used in various scenarios such as parsing user inputs, handling CSV data, or separating URLs.

By understanding and utilizing the explode() function effectively, developers can enhance their PHP coding capabilities and improve the efficiency of their applications.

Read: Handling HTTP Requests and Responses in PHP

Function 9: file_get_contents()

Function 9 in our list of 10 essential PHP functions every developer should know is file_get_contents().

This function serves the purpose of reading the contents of a file into a string.

The purpose of file_get_contents()

The purpose of the file_get_contents() function is to read the contents of a file into a string.

It takes the filename as a parameter and returns the file contents as a string.

Example of how to use file_get_contents() with a code snippet –

Here’s an example that demonstrates the usage of file_get_contents():

<?php
   $fileContent = file_get_contents('example.txt');
   echo $fileContent;
?>

In this example, we use file_get_contents() to read the contents of a file named ‘example.txt’ and store it in the variable $fileContent.

Finally, we echo the contents of the file.

Common use cases in reading files, fetching remote data, or consuming APIs –

The file_get_contents() function has various common use cases:

1. Reading Files: It can be used to read the contents of local files, such as text files, CSV files, JSON files, etc. This makes it easy to retrieve the contents of a file and utilize them within your PHP script.
   
   
2. Fetching Remote Data: With file_get_contents(), you can retrieve the contents of a URL or any remote file. This is useful for fetching data from APIs or accessing data from other websites.
   
   
3. Consuming APIs: Many APIs return data in the form of JSON or XML. By using file_get_contents() in combination with functions like json_decode() or simplexml_load_string(), you can easily retrieve and parse data from APIs.

Overall, file_get_contents() is a versatile function that helps in reading file contents, fetching data from remote sources, and interacting with various APIs.

Now that we have covered the ninth essential PHP function, let’s move on to the final one in our list.

Function 10: fwrite()

Function fwrite() is used to write data to a file. It is an essential PHP function that allows developers to manipulate files efficiently.

Purpose of fwrite()

The main purpose of the fwrite() function is to write data to a file. It takes two parameters: the file handle and the data to be written.

Here is an example of how to use fwrite() to write data to a file:

<?php
   $file = fopen("example.txt", "w"); // Open the file in write mode
   $data = "This is the data to be written";
   fwrite($file, $data); // Write the data to the file
   fclose($file); // Close the file handle
?>

Example of fwrite() usage

Let’s say we have a form where users can input their feedback. We want to store this feedback in a file:

<?php
   $file = fopen("feedback.txt", "a"); // Open the file in append mode
   $data = $_POST['feedback']; // Get the feedback data from the form
   fwrite($file, $data); // Write the feedback to the file
   fclose($file); // Close the file handle
?>

Common use cases of fwrite()

The fwrite() function has various common use cases in web development:

1. Logging information: Developers often use fwrite() to log important information, such as errors or user actions, to a log file. This helps in debugging and keeping track of system activities.
   
   
2. Generating reports: fwrite() can be used to generate reports by writing data to a file in a specified format. This is useful for generating statistical reports or exporting data.
   
   
3. Saving user data: If you have a website that requires users to provide data, fwrite() can be used to store this data in a file. This can be useful for various purposes such as user registration or saving preferences.
   
   
4. Creating backup files: fwrite() can be utilized to create backup files by writing the data from an existing file to a new file. This ensures data redundancy and provides a way to recover data in case of file corruption or loss.
   
   
5. Exporting data: If you have a database or any other data source, you can use fwrite() to export data to a file. This allows you to transfer or share data with others in a structured format.

Overall, fwrite() is a versatile function that simplifies file manipulation tasks in PHP.

Whether it’s storing user data, logging information, or generating reports, fwrite() comes in handy in various scenarios.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we discussed the 10 essential PHP functions that every developer should know.

These functions and more include array_map, array_filter, explode, implode, strlen, substr, strpos, str_replace, date, and file_get_contents.

However, there are numerous other PHP functions available that developers should explore and experiment with to enhance their coding skills.

Mastering these essential PHP functions is crucial for efficient web development as they help in various tasks such as manipulating arrays, working with strings, handling dates, and fetching file content.

These functions provide developers with the tools to create dynamic and interactive websites.