Moving the array cursor to last element in PHP by using end function

end(): move the internal pointer to the last element

end() moves an array's internal pointer to its last element and returns that value. The array must be stored in a variable because end() takes the array by reference.

$items = ['red', 'green', 'blue'];
echo end($items);       // blue
echo key($items);       // 2

For ordinary iteration use foreach; end(), reset(), next() and prev() are for explicit pointer navigation.

To move the cursor of internal pointer of an array we can use end() function. This function takes the pointer to last element. Example.

$my_array=array("First One", "Second One", "Third One", "Fourth One", "Fifth One");
end($my_array);
echo current($my_array); // Fifth One

By using reset() we will take the cursor to first element.

$my_array=array("First One", "Second One", "Third One", "Fourth One", "Fifth One");
end($my_array);
echo current($my_array); // Fifth One 
reset($my_array);
echo current($my_array); //First One

What happens if the pointer is moved beyond the last element ?

$my_array=array("First One", "Second One", "Third One", "Fourth One", "Fifth One");
while (key($my_array) !== null) {
$key = key($my_array);
$val = current($my_array);
next($my_array); 
echo "$key -> $val <br>"; 
}
end($my_array);
echo current($my_array); // Fifth One

By using end() we will keep the pointer at the last element of the array.

$my_array=array("First One", "Second One", "Third One", "Fourth One", "Fifth One");

echo current($my_array); // Output : First One 
echo next($my_array); // Output : Second One 
echo next($my_array); // Output : Third One 
echo prev($my_array); // Output : Second One 
echo end($my_array); // Output : Fifth One 
echo reset($my_array); // Output : First One

Example: Traversing an Array in Reverse

$arr = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry', 'date'];
while ($arr !== []) {
    $value = end($arr);
    echo $value . " ";
    array_pop($arr);
}
// Output: date cherry banana apple

Example: Using end() on an Empty Array

$arr = [];
echo end($arr);  // Output: false

Array REFERENCE

Subhendu Mohapatra

Author & Instructor at plus2net

I write and maintain practical tutorials on Python, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, jQuery, and web development at plus2net. The tutorials focus on clear explanations, working examples, and code that readers can test and adapt while learning.

About the author Watch on YouTube

Connect:

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here

end: to move the cursor to last element of an array

end(): move the internal pointer to the last element

Example: Traversing an Array in Reverse

Example: Using end() on an Empty Array

Subhendu Mohapatra