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jmt
13,877 Pointsphp function quiz explanation
So I just guessed that the answer to this question was 6 and it said I was correct, however, I have no idea how to figure that out. Can someone please explain this so it makes sense?
What does the following code display? <?php
$numbers = array(1,2,3,4);
$total = count($numbers);
$sum = 0;
$output = "";
$i = 0;
foreach($numbers as $number) {
$i = $i + 1;
if ($i < $total) {
$sum = $sum + $number;
}
}
echo $sum;
?>
2 Answers
Tom Mertz
15,254 PointsHey Matthew,
So you have an array called $numbers with 4 values - 1, 2, 3, 4. The variable $total stores the total elements in the array - 4; $output is never used, it's a distraction.
Once you get to the foreach loop you will go through the $numbers array grabbing 1 in the variable $number the first time, 2 the second, 3 the third and 4 the last time (until you have gone through the whole array).
Each time you go into the foreach loop you increase $i value by 1. So when $number = 1, $i = 0, then you add 1 to it and get 1, when $number = 2, $i = $i(1) + 1, which = 2. So on.
Remember, $total is 4 from the begin. Meaning that you will only add the value in $number to $sum when $i is 1, 2 or 3.
$sum starts as 0, when $number is 1, it is less than $total (4) so you add 1 to $sum and get $sum = 1;
$sum = 1, then $number = 2 (continuing through the foreach loop), is 2 less than 4? Yes, $sum = $sum(1) + $number(2).
$sum = 3, then $number = 3, is 3 less than 4? Yup, $sum = $sum(3) + $number(3).
$sum = 6, then $number = 4, is 4 less than 4? No, nothing happenings. Then there are no more numbers in the foreach loop to go through and we end it.
Next, you echo the value of $sum and it is right where you left it at 6!
Hope this helps,
Tom
jmt
13,877 PointsThanks, Tom! Wow, yes, it makes perfect sense now! Big Help! Earned the badge on the next try!
Tom Mertz
15,254 PointsGlad to hear it :)