PHP is promising and modern: high-quality syntax and the ability to do semantics beyond what is permitted. The realization of the ideas of object-oriented programming and the freedom to change the type of variable makes the most daring fantasies a reality.
Arrays are an ancient construction, and associative ones are more a tribute to time than a requirement of practice. Although there are a sufficient number of tasks that involve the creation of data sets of previously not provided content (quantity, values, types and indices) that are available for viewing and use in PHP foreach loops . The last element of the array is available with any creation method. Array - regular and associative - allows you to create lists, but with the usual PHP syntax this has limited use.
The current value of the array
If we abstract from indexes and use the construct
$ arData [] = new scField (); // scNumber, scString, scParagraph, ...
where scField () is the constructor of an abstract object - an "information element" that has heirs: numbers (scNumber), strings (scString), phrases (scParagraph), ... we get in PHP: the last element = an array of objects manifesting their properties as actual item.
Essentially, it doesn't matter which element is considered relevant, but in this case you have to follow the pointer (in PHP, the cursor) inside the array. More often - you need to have your own element pointer. The need for a cursor is deprived of the idea of PHP "last element = array". Accessible through the functions end () and array_pop (), the last element delegates its properties to the array. Using array_pop (), in addition, automatically transfers the array to the previous element, and its properties change accordingly. This determines the possibility of movement through the elements.
Thus, looking at the syntax of PHP in context, retrieving the last element of an array actually means using its properties. Consistently, placing and retrieving elements, we obtain the dynamics of properties, the dynamics of a new data structure formed within the available syntax.
First and other elements
There are functions for working with the first element of the array and moving the internal pointer. In the usual syntax that implements the classical practice of programming, they are applicable. Regarding the creation of arrays with a dynamically changing meaning - no.
In programming, it is always about making decisions: variables take values, condition operators change the course of the algorithm, the cycles analyze something, and the result is ultimately formed.
If you transfer the center of gravity to the actual element and let it decide for itself, the implementation of the program takes on a completely different, meaningful look. Most often this is the way to achieve the goal, especially when it comes to, for example, the use of numerous document tags * .docx, written in the Open XML standard.
In PHP, getting the last element of an array is new meaning and good features.
File Download and Array Properties Dynamics
When the site provides the ability to download any files, it is convenient to use the idea of an abstract object, for example, scFile and scImage, scDocument, scTabe descendants from it, which will have the same name properties, but their different manifestation and meaning (content). In the context of PHP syntax (last element = array), using the end () function, you can use it the way it defines the last element. This solution is interesting in that it inverts ordinary representations and allows you to navigate through the data structure as it was formed.
This use of arrays gives them completely new content. This is provided by the PHP syntax, but such use opens up wide possibilities.
Having provided methods for visualization, saving in a database, restoration in working condition (for example), you will not have to think about what to do in a particular case. All downloaded files are placed into the array sequentially, and when it is being processed, the same methods are always called according to the same scheme, but the image file will be displayed as is, the spreadsheet file will be displayed as a table, and the document will be displayed as corresponding text. Accessible through the PHP syntax, the last element, the array is equipped with its own properties and specific content.
In the latter case, the document always has characters, lines, numbers and, most importantly, formatting. Keeping track of each element is difficult, but by providing a proper object for each element of the format, you can get the document as it is without thinking.
Stack and recursion within syntax
When working only with the last element, the main condition is the stack, but when this element is executed and the same construction is used in it, and especially it, it is recursion. You can say a lot of good things about PHPOffice libraries, for example PHPWord, but you cannot say that they implement a full-fledged mechanism that translates the original formatting of the document into the result.
Indeed, using PHPOffice \ PHPWord you can simply open any Word document (* .docx), but this is just an archive of many structured xml-files, drawings, objects, etc.
At the same time, if we take only xml-files, although they are interconnected (in terms of styles, tables, figures), it will not be possible to create a new document based on the old one and simply transfer the desired changes to it (for example, change the font, colors, formatting). There are many options for using Open XML tags, and even such a well-functioning product as MS Word does not always cope with user ideas, making mistakes.
Actually, a * .docx file is a zip archive with a clear and understandable structure. Using a small number of objects, you can formally describe it and get at the time of reading a full-fledged, independent data structure that can be controlled semantically.
In this case, the information in the document is a formal data structure. Giving it dynamics, you can easily go to the level of meaning and abstract from the syntax.