PHP Associative Array Tutorial

Associative Array

Associative array = Associative word with another word.

In the script below, we create the basis for a Acronym Lookup program in PHP. We will use an associative array to reference the meaning of each acronym, and use the acronym as the associative array's index:

We have three associative arrays: MPLS (links the Multi-Protocol Label Switching), SSTP (links the Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol), and LDAP (links the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol).

Example: 1

<?php
   
   $protocols = array('MPLS'=>'Multi-Protocol Label Switching', 'SSTP'=>'Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol', 'LDAP'=>'Lightweight Directory Access Protocol');
   echo $protocols['MPLS']."<br />";
   echo $protocols['SSTP']."<br />";
   echo $protocols['LDAP'];

?>

Output

Multi-Protocol Label Switching
Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol

Example: 2

<?php
$protocols = array();
$Protocols['MPLS']= 'Multi-Protocol Label Switching';
$Protocols['SSTP']= 'Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol';
$Protocols['LDAP']= 'Lightweight Directory Access Protocol';

echo 'MPLS stands for: '.$Protocols['MPLS']."<br />";
echo 'SSTP stands for: '.$Protocols['SSTP']."<br />";
echo 'LDAP stands for: '.$Protocols['LDAP']."<br />";
?>

Output

MPLS stands for: Multi-Protocol Label Switching
SSTP stands for: Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol
LDAP stands for: Lightweight Directory Access Protocol