Question

$arr = array(1);
$a = & $arr[0];

$arr2 = $arr;
$arr2[0]++;

echo $arr[0],$arr2[0];

// Output 2,2

Can you please help me how is it possible?

Answer 1

Note, however, that references inside arrays are potentially
dangerous. Doing a normal (not by reference) assignment with a
reference on the right side does not turn the left side into a
reference, but references inside arrays are preserved in these normal
assignments. This also applies to function calls where the array is
passed by value.

/* Assignment of array variables */
$arr = array(1);
$a =& $arr[0]; //$a and $arr[0] are in the same reference set
$arr2 = $arr; //not an assignment-by-reference!
$arr2[0]++;
/* $a == 2, $arr == array(2) */
/* The contents of $arr are changed even though it's not a reference! */