PHP Delete Array Items

Remove Array Item

To remove an existing item from an array, you can use the array_splice() function.

With the array_splice() function you specify the index (where to start) and how many items you want to delete.

$cars = array("Volvo", "BMW", "Toyota");
array_splice($cars, 1, 1);

After the deletion, the array gets reindexed automtically, starting at index 0.

Using the unset Function

You can also use the unset() function to delete existing array items.

$cars = array("Volvo", "BMW", "Toyota");
unset($cars[1]);

Remove Multiple Array Items

To remove multiple items, the array_splice() function takes a length parameter that allows you to specify the number of items to delete.

$cars = array("Volvo", "BMW", "Toyota");
array_splice($cars, 1, 2);

The unset() function takes a unlimited number of arguments, and can therefor be used to delete multiple array items:

$cars = array("Volvo", "BMW", "Toyota");
unset($cars[0], $cars[1]);

Remove Item From an Associative Array

To remove items from an associative array, you can use the unset() function.

Specify the key of the item you want to delete.

$cars = array("brand" => "Ford", "model" => "Mustang", "year" => 1964);
unset($cars["model"]);

Using the array_diff Function

You can also use the array_diff() function to remove items from an associative array.

This function returns a new array, without the specified items.

$cars = array("brand" => "Ford", "model" => "Mustang", "year" => 1964);
$newarray = array_diff($cars, ["Mustang", 1964]);

Remove the Last Item

The array_pop() function removes the last item of an array.

$cars = array("Volvo", "BMW", "Toyota");
array_pop($cars);

Remove the First Item

The array_shift() function removes the first item of an array.

$cars = array("Volvo", "BMW", "Toyota");
array_shift($cars);