When starting a PHP project, you’ll often need to create an empty array. You might see either:

$list = array();

or

$list = [];

Both do the same thing—create an empty array—but which is better?

âś… The Basics

Let’s break it down:

  • $list: A variable to hold data.
  • =: The assignment operator.
  • []: Modern syntax for an empty array.
  • array(): Traditional function-based way to create an array.

🎯 So, What’s the Difference?

  • array() is the old-school way. Been around since PHP 3.
  • [] is the modern shorthand, introduced in PHP 5.4.

Both work the same, but [] is cleaner and more current.

đź’ˇ Why You Should Use []

  • Readability: Shorter and clearer.
  • Modern Practice: Aligns with current PHP standards.
  • Consistency: Keeps your codebase neat.

🧪 Quick Quiz

1. What’s the primary difference between $list = [] and $list = array()?

(A) array() creates a numeric array, [] creates an associative one (B) array() is deprecated (C) Both are functionally the same, but [] is newer syntax âś… (D) [] is faster than array()

2. Which syntax is recommended in modern PHP and why?

(A) array()—it’s traditional (B) []—concise, modern, readable ✅ (C) Either—no performance difference (D) array()—more compatible with old versions

👨‍💻 Final Word

While both forms work, modern PHP developers prefer:

$list = [];

It’s cleaner, more readable, and fits today’s best practices. If you’re still using array(), it’s time for an upgrade.

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