Question

I have an array $x with nonzero number of elements. I want to create another array ($y) which is equal to $x. Then I want to make some manipulations with $y without causing any changes to $x. Can I create $y in this way:

$y = $x;

In other words, if I modify $y created in the above shown way, will I change value of $x?

Answer 1

Lets give it a try:

$a = array(0,1,2);
$b = $a;
$b[0] = 5;

print_r($a);
print_r($b);

gives

Array
(
    [0] => 0
    [1] => 1
    [2] => 2
)
Array
(
    [0] => 5
    [1] => 1
    [2] => 2
)

And the documentation says:

Array assignment always involves value copying. Use the reference operator to copy an array by reference.