PHP current Function

last modified March 13, 2025

The PHP current function returns the value of the current element in an array. It's part of PHP's array pointer functions.

Basic Definition

The current function fetches the value of the array element that's currently pointed to by the internal pointer. It doesn't move the pointer.

Syntax: current(array|object $array): mixed. The function returns the current element's value or false on empty array or error.

Basic current() Example

This demonstrates getting the current element from a simple array.

basic_current.php

<?php

$fruits = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry'];

// Set pointer to first element
reset($fruits);

$current = current($fruits);
echo "Current fruit: $current";

We first reset the array pointer to ensure it's at the start. Then current returns 'apple', the first element's value.

Using current() in a Loop

Show how current can be used with other pointer functions.

current_in_loop.php

<?php

$colors = ['red', 'green', 'blue'];

// Set pointer to first element
reset($colors);

while ($color = current($colors)) {
    echo "Color: $color\n";
    next($colors);
}

This loops through the array using current and next. The output shows all three colors in sequence.

Associative Array Example

Demonstrate current with an associative array.

associative_array.php

<?php

$user = [
    'name' => 'John Doe',
    'email' => 'john@example.com',
    'age' => 30
];

reset($user);

echo "First value: " . current($user);

With associative arrays, current returns the value of the first element regardless of its key. Here it returns 'John Doe'.

Current After Array Modification

Show how array modifications affect the current element.

modification_effect.php

<?php

$numbers = [10, 20, 30];
reset($numbers);

echo "Current: " . current($numbers) . "\n"; // 10

// Modify array
array_unshift($numbers, 5);

echo "Current after modification: " . current($numbers); // 5

Adding elements to the beginning shifts the internal pointer. The current element changes from 10 to 5 after array_unshift.

Current With Empty Array

Demonstrate current behavior with empty arrays.

empty_array.php

<?php

$empty = [];

$result = current($empty);

var_dump($result);

When called on an empty array, current returns false. This is important to check when working with potentially empty arrays.

Best Practices

Reset Pointer: Always reset pointer with reset first.
Check Return: Verify return value as it can be false.
Combine Functions: Use with next, prev for traversal.
Avoid Modification: Don't modify array during iteration.

Source

PHP current() Documentation

This tutorial covered the PHP current function with practical examples showing its usage for array traversal scenarios.

Author

My name is Jan Bodnar, and I am a passionate programmer with extensive programming experience. I have been writing programming articles since 2007. To date, I have authored over 1,400 articles and 8 e-books. I possess more than ten years of experience in teaching programming.

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