Array Functions

This page covers the Nette\Utils\Arrays, ArrayHash, and ArrayList classes, which relate to arrays.

Installation:

composer require nette/utils

Arrays

Nette\Utils\Arrays is a static class containing useful functions for working with arrays. Its equivalent for iterators is Nette\Utils\Iterables.

The following examples assume the following class alias is defined:

use Nette\Utils\Arrays;

associate (array $array, mixed $path): array|\stdClass

This function flexibly transforms the $array into an associative array or objects according to the specified path $path. The path can be a string or an array. It consists of the names of keys in the input array and operators like [], ->, =, and |. Throws Nette\InvalidArgumentException if the path is invalid.

// convert to an associative array using a simple key
$arr = [
    ['name' => 'John', 'age' => 11],
    ['name' => 'Mary', 'age' => null],
    // ...
];
$result = Arrays::associate($arr, 'name');
// $result = ['John' => ['name' => 'John', 'age' => 11], 'Mary' => ['name' => 'Mary', 'age' => null]]

// assigning values from one key to another using the = operator
$result = Arrays::associate($arr, 'name=age'); // or ['name', '=', 'age']
// $result = ['John' => 11, 'Mary' => null, ...]

// creating an object using the -> operator
$result = Arrays::associate($arr, '->name'); // or ['->', 'name']
// $result = (object) ['John' => ['name' => 'John', 'age' => 11], 'Mary' => ['name' => 'Mary', 'age' => null]]

// combining keys using the | operator
$result = Arrays::associate($arr, 'name|age'); // or ['name', '|', 'age']
// $result: ['John' => ['name' => 'John', 'age' => 11], 'Paul' => ['name' => 'Paul', 'age' => 44]]

// adding to an array using []
$result = Arrays::associate($arr, 'name[]'); // or ['name', '[]']
// $result: ['John' => [['name' => 'John', 'age' => 22], ['name' => 'John', 'age' => 11]]]

contains (array $array, $value): bool

Tests an array for the presence of a value. Uses strict comparison (===).

Arrays::contains([1, 2, 3], 1);    // true
Arrays::contains(['1', false], 1); // false

every (array $array, callable $predicate): bool

Tests whether all elements in the array pass the test implemented by the provided $predicate function with the signature function ($value, $key, array $array): bool.

$array = [1, 30, 39, 29, 10, 13];
$isBelowThreshold = fn($value) => $value < 40;
$res = Arrays::every($array, $isBelowThreshold); // true

See some().

filter (array $array, callable $predicate): array

Returns a new array containing all key-value pairs matching the given $predicate. The callback has the signature function ($value, int|string $key, array $array): bool.

Arrays::filter(
	['a' => 1, 'b' => 2, 'c' => 3],
	fn($v) => $v < 3,
);
// returns ['a' => 1, 'b' => 2]

first (array $array, ?callable $predicate=null, ?callable $else=null): mixed

Returns the first item (matching the specified predicate if given). If there is no such item, it returns the result of invoking $else or null. The $predicate has the signature function ($value, int|string $key, array $array): bool.

It does not change the internal pointer, unlike reset(). The $predicate and $else parameters exist since version 4.0.4.

Arrays::first([1, 2, 3]);                   // 1
Arrays::first([1, 2, 3], fn($v) => $v > 2); // 3
Arrays::first([]);                          // null
Arrays::first([], else: fn() => false);     // false

See last().

firstKey (array $array, ?callable $predicate=null): int|string|null

Returns the key of the first item (matching the specified predicate if given) or null if there is no such item. The $predicate has the signature function ($value, int|string $key, array $array): bool.

Arrays::firstKey([1, 2, 3]);                   // 0
Arrays::firstKey([1, 2, 3], fn($v) => $v > 2); // 2
Arrays::firstKey(['a' => 1, 'b' => 2]);        // 'a'
Arrays::firstKey([]);                          // null

See lastKey().

flatten (array $array, bool $preserveKeys=false): array

Flattens a multi-level array into a single level. Keys can be preserved if $preserveKeys is set to true.

$array = Arrays::flatten([1, 2, [3, 4, [5, 6]]]);
// $array = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6];

get (array $array, string|int|array $key, mixed $default=null): mixed

Returns the item $array[$key]. If it does not exist, it throws Nette\InvalidArgumentException, unless a default value is provided as the third argument, which is then returned.

// if $array['foo'] does not exist, throws an exception
$value = Arrays::get($array, 'foo');

// if $array['foo'] does not exist, returns 'bar'
$value = Arrays::get($array, 'foo', 'bar');

The $key can also be an array representing a path into a nested array.

$array = ['color' => ['favorite' => 'red'], 5];

$value = Arrays::get($array, ['color', 'favorite']);
// returns 'red'

getRef (array &$array, string|int|array $key): mixed

Gets a reference to the specified array item. If the item does not exist, it will be created with a value of null.

$valueRef = & Arrays::getRef($array, 'foo');
// returns a reference to $array['foo']

Works with multidimensional arrays as well as get().

$value = & Arrays::getRef($array, ['color', 'favorite']);
// returns a reference to $array['color']['favorite']

grep (array $array, string $pattern, bool $invert=false): array

Returns only those array items whose value matches the regular expression $pattern. If $invert is true, it returns items that do not match. A compilation or runtime error in the expression throws Nette\RegexpException.

$filteredArray = Arrays::grep($array, '~^\d+$~');
// returns only array elements consisting of digits

insertAfter (array &$array, string|int|null $key, array $inserted): void

Inserts the contents of the $inserted array into the $array immediately after the item with key $key. If $key is null (or does not exist in the array), it is inserted at the end.

$array = ['first' => 10, 'second' => 20];
Arrays::insertAfter($array, 'first', ['hello' => 'world']);
// $array = ['first' => 10, 'hello' => 'world', 'second' => 20];

insertBefore (array &$array, string|int|null $key, array $inserted): void

Inserts the contents of the $inserted array into the $array before the item with key $key. If $key is null (or does not exist in the array), it is inserted at the beginning.

$array = ['first' => 10, 'second' => 20];
Arrays::insertBefore($array, 'first', ['hello' => 'world']);
// $array = ['hello' => 'world', 'first' => 10, 'second' => 20];

invoke (iterable $callbacks, …$args): array

Invokes all callbacks in the iterable and returns an array of the results.

$callbacks = [
	'+' => fn($a, $b) => $a + $b,
	'*' => fn($a, $b) => $a * $b,
];

$array = Arrays::invoke($callbacks, 5, 11);
// $array = ['+' => 16, '*' => 55];

invokeMethod (iterable $objects, string $method, …$args): array

Invokes a method on each object in an iterable and returns an array of the results.

$objects = ['a' => $obj1, 'b' => $obj2];

$array = Arrays::invokeMethod($objects, 'foo', 1, 2);
// $array = ['a' => $obj1->foo(1, 2), 'b' => $obj2->foo(1, 2)];

isList (array $array): bool

Checks if the array is indexed in ascending order of numeric keys from zero, a.k.a., a list.

Arrays::isList(['a', 'b', 'c']); // true
Arrays::isList([4 => 1, 2, 3]); // false
Arrays::isList(['a' => 1, 'b' => 2]); // false

last (array $array, ?callable $predicate=null, ?callable $else=null): mixed

Returns the last item (matching the specified predicate if given). If there is no such item, it returns the result of invoking $else or null. The $predicate has the signature function ($value, int|string $key, array $array): bool.

It does not change the internal pointer, unlike end(). The $predicate and $else parameters exist since version 4.0.4.

Arrays::last([1, 2, 3]);                   // 3
Arrays::last([1, 2, 3], fn($v) => $v < 3); // 2
Arrays::last([]);                          // null
Arrays::last([], else: fn() => false);     // false

See first().

lastKey (array $array, ?callable $predicate=null): int|string|null

Returns the key of the last item (matching the specified predicate if given) or null if there is no such item. The $predicate has the signature function ($value, int|string $key, array $array): bool.

Arrays::lastKey([1, 2, 3]);                    // 2
Arrays::lastKey([1, 2, 3], fn($v) => $v < 3);  // 1
Arrays::lastKey(['a' => 1, 'b' => 2]);         // 'b'
Arrays::lastKey([]);                           // null

See firstKey().

map (array $array, callable $transformer): array

Calls $transformer on all elements in the array and returns an array of the return values. The callback has the signature function ($value, $key, array $array): mixed.

$array = ['foo', 'bar', 'baz'];
$res = Arrays::map($array, fn($value) => $value . $value);
// $res = ['foofoo', 'barbar', 'bazbaz']

mapWithKeys (array $array, callable $transformer): array

Creates a new array by transforming the values and keys of the original array. The $transformer function has the signature function ($value, $key, array $array): ?array{$newKey, $newValue}. If $transformer returns null, the element is skipped. For retained elements, the first element of the returned array is used as the new key, and the second element as the new value.

$array = ['a' => 1, 'b' => 2];
$result = Arrays::mapWithKeys($array, fn($v, $k) => $v > 1 ? [$v * 2, strtoupper($k)] : null);
// [4 => 'B']

This method is useful in situations where you need to change the structure of an array (both keys and values simultaneously) or filter elements during transformation (by returning null for unwanted elements).

mergeTree (array $array1, array $array2): array

Recursively merges two arrays. It is useful, for example, for merging tree structures. It follows the same rules as the + operator applied to arrays, i.e., it adds key/value pairs from the second array to the first, and in case of key collisions, it keeps the value from the first array.

$array1 = ['color' => ['favorite' => 'red'], 5];
$array2 = [10, 'color' => ['favorite' => 'green', 'blue']];

$array = Arrays::mergeTree($array1, $array2);
// $array = ['color' => ['favorite' => 'red', 'blue'], 5];

Values from the second array are always appended to the end of the first. The disappearance of the value 10 from the second array might seem a bit confusing. It's important to realize that this value, as well as the value 5 in the first array, are assigned the same numeric key 0. Therefore, the resulting array only contains the element from the first array for this key.

normalize (array $array, ?string $filling=null): array

Normalizes an array into an associative array. Numeric keys are replaced by their values, and the new value becomes $filling.

$array = Arrays::normalize([1 => 'first', 'a' => 'second']);
// $array = ['first' => null, 'a' => 'second'];

$array = Arrays::normalize([1 => 'first', 'a' => 'second'], 'foobar');
// $array = ['first' => 'foobar', 'a' => 'second'];

pick (array &$array, string|int $key, mixed $default=null): mixed

Returns and removes the value of an item with key $key from an array. If the item does not exist, it throws an exception, or returns $default if provided.

$array = [1 => 'foo', null => 'bar'];
$a = Arrays::pick($array, null);
// $a = 'bar'
$b = Arrays::pick($array, 'not-exists', 'foobar');
// $b = 'foobar'
$c = Arrays::pick($array, 'not-exists');
// throws Nette\InvalidArgumentException

renameKey (array &$array, string|int $oldKey, string|int $newKey): bool

Renames a key in an array. Returns true if the key was found in the array.

$array = ['first' => 10, 'second' => 20];
Arrays::renameKey($array, 'first', 'renamed');
// $array = ['renamed' => 10, 'second' => 20];

getKeyOffset (array $array, string|int $key): ?int

Returns the zero-indexed position of the given array key. Returns null if the key is not found.

$array = ['first' => 10, 'second' => 20];
$position = Arrays::getKeyOffset($array, 'first'); // returns 0
$position = Arrays::getKeyOffset($array, 'second'); // returns 1
$position = Arrays::getKeyOffset($array, 'not-exists'); // returns null

some (array $array, callable $predicate): bool

Tests whether at least one element in the array passes the test implemented by the provided $predicate callback with the signature function ($value, $key, array $array): bool.

$array = [1, 2, 3, 4];
$isEven = fn($value) => $value % 2 === 0;
$res = Arrays::some($array, $isEven); // true

See every().

toKey (mixed $key): string|int

Converts a value to an array key, which is either an integer or a string. Floats are truncated, booleans are converted to 0 or 1, null becomes an empty string, and objects throw an exception.

Arrays::toKey('1');  // 1
Arrays::toKey('01'); // '01'

toObject (iterable $array, object $object): object

Copies the elements of the iterable $array to the $object object and then returns the object.

$obj = new stdClass;
$array = ['foo' => 1, 'bar' => 2];
Arrays::toObject($array, $obj); // it sets $obj->foo = 1; $obj->bar = 2;

wrap (array $array, string $prefix=`''`, string $suffix=`''`): array

Casts each item in the array to a string and wraps it with the $prefix and $suffix.

$array = Arrays::wrap(['a' => 'red', 'b' => 'green'], '<<', '>>');
// $array = ['a' => '<<red>>', 'b' => '<<green>>'];

ArrayHash

The Nette\Utils\ArrayHash object is a descendant of the generic stdClass class and extends it with the ability to be treated like an array, for example, accessing members using square brackets:

$hash = new Nette\Utils\ArrayHash;
$hash['foo'] = 123;
$hash->bar = 456; // object notation also works
$hash->foo; // 123

You can use the count($hash) function to get the number of elements.

You can iterate over the object as you would an array, even with a reference:

foreach ($hash as $key => $value) {
	// ...
}

foreach ($hash as $key => &$value) {
	$value = 'new value';
}

Existing arrays can be transformed into an ArrayHash using the static method from():

$array = ['foo' => 123, 'bar' => 456];

$hash = Nette\Utils\ArrayHash::from($array);
$hash->foo; // 123
$hash->bar; // 456

The transformation is recursive: any sub-arrays are also converted to ArrayHash objects.

$array = ['foo' => 123, 'inner' => ['a' => 'b']];

$hash = Nette\Utils\ArrayHash::from($array);
$hash->inner; // object ArrayHash
$hash->inner->a; // 'b'
$hash['inner']['a']; // 'b'

This recursive behavior can be disabled with the second parameter:

$hash = Nette\Utils\ArrayHash::from($array, false);
$hash->inner; // array

Transform back to an array using (array) cast:

$array = (array) $hash;

ArrayList

Nette\Utils\ArrayList represents a linear array where the indexes are only integers ascending from 0.

$list = new Nette\Utils\ArrayList;
$list[] = 'a';
$list[] = 'b';
$list[] = 'c';
// ArrayList(0 => 'a', 1 => 'b', 2 => 'c')
count($list); // 3

Existing arrays can be transformed into ArrayList using the static method from():

$array = ['foo', 'bar'];
$list = Nette\Utils\ArrayList::from($array);

You can use the count($list) function to get the number of items.