Direct Access to an Array Item?

I want to access a variable within a function-returned array without setting the array to a variable first. Example -- test for equal to string 'foo' on the 4th element of a returned fetch row:

    if (($row = mysql_fetch_row($result))[3] == 'foo') {
        $user = $row;
    }

or

    $bar = explode('#', $str)[2];

I know I can do this in perl, but can it be done in PHP? Obviously this is pseudo code, it doesn't actually work, but I wonder if there is a way that escapes me currently? I know I can assign the result to a variable and then test the element; I am addicted to trying to cut down the amount and complexity of code. Even if you disagree with my goal as good computing practices, I simply want to know if what I ask is possible, and if so, how. :-) Beckman ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peter Beckman                                                  Internet Guy
beckman@purplecow.com                             http://www.purplecow.com/

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