note 82976 added to function.array-merge-recursive

This is a simple, three line approach. Short description: If one of the Arguments isn't an Array, first Argument is returned. If an Element is an Array in both Arrays, Arrays are merged recursively, otherwise the element in $ins will overwrite the element in $arr (regardless if key is numeric or not). This also applys to Arrays in $arr, if the Element is scalar in $ins (in difference to the previous approach). function array_insert($arr,$ins) { # Loop through all Elements in $ins: if (is_array($arr) && is_array($ins)) foreach ($ins as $k => $v) { # Key exists in $arr and both Elemente are Arrays: Merge recursively. if (isset($arr[$k]) && is_array($v) && is_array($arr[$k])) $arr[$k] = array_insert($arr[$k],$v); # Place more Conditions here (see below) # ... # Otherwise replace Element in $arr with Element in $ins: else $arr[$k] = $v; } # Return merged Arrays: return($arr); } In Addition to felix dot ospald at gmx dot de in my opinion there is no need to compare keys with type-casting, as a key always is changed into an integer if it could be an integer. Just try $a = array('1'=>'1'); echo gettype(key($a)); It will echo 'integer'. So for having Integer-Keys simply appended instead of replaced, add the Line: elseif (is_int($k)) $arr[] = $v; A Condition I used is: elseif (is_null($v)) unset($arr[$k]); So a NULL-Value in $ins will unset the correspondig Element in $arr (which is different to setting it to NULL!). This may be another Addition to felix dot ospald at gmx dot de: The absolute correct way to check for a Key existing in an Array is using array_key_exists() (not needed in the current context, as isset() is combined with is_array()). array_key_exists() will return TRUE even if the Value of the Element is NULL. And the last one: If you want to use this approach for more than 2 Arrays, simply use this: function array_insert_mult($arr) { # More than 1 Argument: Append all Arguments. if (func_num_args() > 1) foreach (array_slice(func_get_args(),1) as $ins) $arr = array_insert($arr,$ins); # Return merged Arrays: return($arr); } And if you worry about maintaining References: Simply use $ins[$k] instead of $v when assigning a Value/using a Value as Argument. ---- Server IP: 212.124.37.9 Probable Submitter: 91.36.74.179 ---- Manual Page -- http://www.php.net/manual/en/function.array-merge-recursive.php Edit -- https://master.php.net/note/edit/82976 Del: integrated -- https://master.php.net/note/delete/82976/integrated Del: useless -- https://master.php.net/note/delete/82976/useless Del: bad code -- https://master.php.net/note/delete/82976/bad+code Del: spam -- https://master.php.net/note/delete/82976/spam Del: non-english -- https://master.php.net/note/delete/82976/non-english Del: in docs -- https://master.php.net/note/delete/82976/in+docs Del: other reasons-- https://master.php.net/note/delete/82976 Reject -- https://master.php.net/note/reject/82976 Search -- https://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php