PHP: array_diff() function

Last update on August 19 2022 21:50:39 (UTC/GMT +8 hours)

PHP: Computes the difference of arrays

The array_diff() function is used to compares an array against one or more other arrays and returns the values in the first array that are not present in any of the other arrays.

Version:

(PHP 4 and above)

Syntax:

array_diff(array1, array2, array3 ...)

Parameter:

Name
Description
Required /
Optional
Type

array1
The specified array which will be compared with other arrays.
Required
Array

array2
Compared with the first array.
Required
Array

array3
Compared with the first array.
Optional
Array

Return value:

An array containing all the entries from array1 whose values are not present in any of the other arrays i.e. array2, array3 etc.

Value Type: Array

Example:

<?php
$array1 = array(0=> 'Language', 1=>'Math', 2=>'Science', 3=>'Geography');
$array2 = array(0=> 'Math', 1=>'Science', 2=>'History');
$diff_result = array_diff($array1, $array2);
print_r($diff_result);
?>

Output:

Array ( [0] => Language [3] => Geography) 

Pictorial Presentation:

View the example in the browser

Practice here online:

See also

PHP Function Reference

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