PHP current() Function

Example

Output the value of the current element in an array:

<?php
$people = array("Peter", "Joe", "Glenn", "Cleveland");

echo current($people) . " ";
?>

Definition and Usage

The current() function returns the value of the current element in an array.

Every array has an internal pointer to its "current" element, which is initialized to the first element inserted into the array.

Tip: This function does not move the arrays internal pointer.

Related methods:

end() - moves the internal pointer to, and outputs, the last element in the array
next() - moves the internal pointer to, and outputs, the next element in the array
prev() - moves the internal pointer to, and outputs, the previous element in the array
reset() - moves the internal pointer to the first element of the array
each() - returns the current element key and value, and moves the internal pointer forward

Syntax

current(array)

Parameter Values

Parameter	Description
array	Required. Specifies the array to use

Technical Details

Return Value:	Returns the value of the current element in an array, or FALSE on empty elements or elements with no value
PHP Version:	4+

More Examples

Example

A demonstration of all related methods:

<?php
$people = array("Peter", "Joe", "Glenn", "Cleveland");

echo current($people) . " "; // The current element is Peter
echo next($people) . " "; // The next element of Peter is Joe
echo current($people) . " "; // Now the current element is Joe
echo prev($people) . " "; // The previous element of Joe is Peter
echo end($people) . " "; // The last element is Cleveland
echo prev($people) . " "; // The previous element of Cleveland is Glenn
echo current($people) . " "; // Now the current element is Glenn
echo reset($people) . " "; // Moves the internal pointer to the first element of the array, which is Peter
echo next($people) . " "; // The next element of Peter is Joe

print_r (each($people)); // Returns the key and value of the current element (now Joe), and moves the internal pointer forward
?>

Try it Yourself »

❮ PHP Array Reference