How to delete an element from an array in PHP and re-index the array?

In PHP, you can delete an element from an array using the unset() function. However, this creates gaps in the array indices. To re−index the array with consecutive numeric keys, use the array_values() function.

Using unset() and array_values()

The unset() function removes an element by its key, while array_values() returns a new array with consecutive numeric indices ?

<?php
    $my_arr = array('this', 'is', 'a', 'sample', 'only');
    echo "Original array:
";
    var_dump($my_arr);
    
    // Remove element at index 2
    unset($my_arr[2]);
    echo "\nAfter unset (with gaps):
";
    var_dump($my_arr);
    
    // Re-index the array
    $my_arr_reindexed = array_values($my_arr);
    echo "\nAfter re-indexing:
";
    var_dump($my_arr_reindexed);
?>

Original array:
array(5) {
  [0]=>
  string(4) "this"
  [1]=>
  string(2) "is"
  [2]=>
  string(1) "a"
  [3]=>
  string(6) "sample"
  [4]=>
  string(4) "only"
}

After unset (with gaps):
array(4) {
  [0]=>
  string(4) "this"
  [1]=>
  string(2) "is"
  [3]=>
  string(6) "sample"
  [4]=>
  string(4) "only"
}

After re-indexing:
array(4) {
  [0]=>
  string(4) "this"
  [1]=>
  string(2) "is"
  [2]=>
  string(6) "sample"
  [3]=>
  string(4) "only"
}

Alternative: Using array_splice()

You can also use array_splice() to remove elements and automatically re−index in one step ?

<?php
    $fruits = array('apple', 'banana', 'cherry', 'date', 'elderberry');
    echo "Original array:
";
    print_r($fruits);
    
    // Remove element at index 1 (banana)
    array_splice($fruits, 1, 1);
    echo "\nAfter array_splice:
";
    print_r($fruits);
?>

Original array:
Array
(
    [0] => apple
    [1] => banana
    [2] => cherry
    [3] => date
    [4] => elderberry
)

After array_splice:
Array
(
    [0] => apple
    [1] => cherry
    [2] => date
    [3] => elderberry
)

Conclusion

Use unset() followed by array_values() for simple element removal with re−indexing, or array_splice() for a one−step solution that automatically maintains consecutive indices.