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How to use array_flip() and array_combine() to implement reverse mapping and construction skills?

M66 2025-05-13

How to use array_flip() and array_combine() to implement reverse mapping and construction skills?

In PHP programming, array_flip() and array_combine() are two very common and practical functions. They can help developers process array data efficiently, especially when reverse mapping and building new arrays. This article will use specific examples to introduce how to cleverly use these two functions to implement reverse mapping and array construction.

1. Usage and techniques of array_flip()

The array_flip() function is used to exchange keys and values ​​of an array. Simply put, it turns every key in the array into a value, and the original value into a key. This is very useful in some scenarios, especially when we need to quickly find the corresponding key through values.

Example: Using array_flip() to implement reverse mapping

Suppose we have an associative array that contains some key-value pairs, and we want to reverse map this array so that the value becomes the new key and the original key becomes the value.

 <?php
// Original array
$array = array(
    'apple' => 'fruit',
    'carrot' => 'vegetable',
    'banana' => 'fruit',
);

// use array_flip() Reverse mapping
$flipped = array_flip($array);

// Output result
print_r($flipped);
?>

Output:

 Array
(
    [fruit] => banana
    [vegetable] => carrot
)

In the above code, the array_flip() function turns the value of the array into a key, and the original key into a value. If there are duplicate values ​​in the original array, the key with the last duplicate value will become the new key.

2. Usage and techniques of array_combine()

The array_combine() function is used to merge two arrays, and the value of one array will become the key of another array. This function is usually used to build a new associative array.

Example: Create a new array using array_combine()

Suppose we have two arrays, one for keys and one for value, we want to combine these two arrays into a new associative array.

 <?php
// Key array
$keys = array('apple', 'carrot', 'banana');

// Value array
$values = array('fruit', 'vegetable', 'fruit');

// use array_combine() Create a new array
$combined = array_combine($keys, $values);

// Output result
print_r($combined);
?>

Output:

 Array
(
    [apple] => fruit
    [carrot] => vegetable
    [banana] => fruit
)

In the example above, the array_combine() function takes the element in the $keys array as the key to the new array, while the element in the $values ​​array becomes the value of the new array.

3. Use array_flip() and array_combine() to implement advanced skills

Now, we combine these two functions, use array_flip() to reverse map the existing array, and then create a new associative array through array_combine() . This approach is very suitable when we need to generate new data structures from existing data.

Example: Reverse map from an array and rebuild

Suppose we have an array representing the name of the product and the corresponding category. If we want to reverse map and rebuild the array, use the category as the key and the product name as the value, we can first use array_flip() to reverse map the original array, and then use array_combine() to build a new array.

 <?php
// Original array:Product Name => category
$products = array(
    'apple' => 'fruit',
    'carrot' => 'vegetable',
    'banana' => 'fruit',
);

// Reverse mapping:category => Product Name
$flipped = array_flip($products);

// use array_combine() Rebuild a new array
$keys = array('fruit', 'vegetable');
$values = array('apple, banana', 'carrot');
$newArray = array_combine($keys, $values);

// Output a new array
print_r($newArray);
?>

Output:

 Array
(
    [fruit] => apple, banana
    [vegetable] => carrot
)

Through the above example, we can see how to use array_flip() to reverse map the original array, and then create a new array through array_combine() .

4. Summary and application

  • array_flip() is ideal for scenarios where keys need to be found by values, or reverse map arrays.

  • array_combine() is ideal when you have two arrays and you need to merge them into a new associative array.

  • Combining these two functions allows more complex data processing and transformations, especially when dynamically building arrays are required.

By rationally applying these techniques, PHP developers can process array data more efficiently, improving the simplicity and maintainability of the code.