How to Check Whether an Array Is Empty in PHP

1. Use empty() Function to Check Whether an Array Is Empty in PHP
2. Use sizeof() Function to Check Whether an Array Is Empty in PHP
3. Use count() Function to Check Whether an Array Is Empty in PHP
4. Use NOT Operator to Check Whether an Array Is Empty in PHP

This article will introduce methods to check whether an array is empty in PHP.

• Using empty() function
• Using sizeof() function
• Using count() function
• Using NOT operator

Use empty() Function to Check Whether an Array Is Empty in PHP

We can use the built-in function empty() to check whether an array is empty. This function checks for all types of variables, including arrays. The correct syntax to use this function is as follows.

empty($variable);

The built-in function empty() has only one parameter. The detail of its parameter is as follows

This function returns a Boolean value depending upon the condition of the passed variable. It returns 1 if the variable is empty and returns 0 if the variable is not empty.

The program below shows how we can use this function to check if an array is empty or not.

<?php 
$emptyArray = array();
$isEmpty = empty($emptyArray);
echo("The function has returned $isEmpty. \n");
if(empty($emptyArray))
echo("The array is empty.");
?> 

We have stored the return value of empty() function in $isEmpty variable.

Output:

The function has returned 1. 
The array is empty. 

Use sizeof() Function to Check Whether an Array Is Empty in PHP

We can also use the built-in function sizeof() to check whether an array is empty or not. The sizeof() function helps in finding the size in numbers. What we will do is that we will find the size of the array. If the size of the array is 0 then our array is empty. The correct syntax to use this function is as follows:

sizeof($array, $mode)

The function sizeof() accepts two parameters. The detail of its parameters is as follows

The program that checks whether an array is empty using the sizeof() function is as follows:

<?php 
$emptyArray = array();
$size = sizeof($emptyArray);
echo("The size of the array is $size. \n");
if(sizeof($emptyArray) == 0)
echo("The array is empty.");
?> 

Output:

The size of the array is 0. 
The array is empty.

Use count() Function to Check Whether an Array Is Empty in PHP

We can also use the built-in function count() to check whether an array is empty or not. The count() function is the same in its working as the sizeof() function. It counts the number of elements of an array or a countable object. What we will do is that we will find the number of elements in the array. If the number of elements in the array is 0 then our array is empty. The correct syntax to use this function is as follows:

count($array, $mode)

The function count() accepts two parameters. The detail of its parameters is as follows

The program that checks whether an array is empty using the count() function is as follows:

<?php 
$emptyArray = array();
$numberOfElements = sizeof($emptyArray);
echo("The number of elements in the array is $numberOfElements. \n");
if(count($emptyArray) == 0)
echo("The array is empty.");
?> 

Output:

The number of elements in the array is 0. 
The array is empty. 

Use NOT Operator to Check Whether an Array Is Empty in PHP

The NOT (!) operator can also be used to check if an array is empty or not.

The program that checks whether an array is empty using the NOT operator is as follows:

<?php 
$emptyArray = array();
if(!$emptyArray)
echo("The array is empty.");
?> 

Output:

The array is empty.