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PHP unset() Function

PHP Available Functions

The unset() function is used to destroy the given variable.

PHP Version Requirements: PHP 4, PHP 5, PHP 7

Syntax

void unset ( mixed $var [, mixed $... ] )

Parameter Description:

Return Value

No return value.

Examples

<?php
// Destroy a single variable
unset ($foo);

// Destroy a single array element
unset ($bar['quux']);

// Destroy multiple variables
unset($foo1, $foo2, $foo3);
?>

If you unset() a global variable inside a function, only the local variable is destroyed, and the variable in the calling environment will retain its value before the unset() call.

<?php
function destroy_foo() {
    global $foo;
    unset($foo);
}

$foo = 'bar';
destroy_foo();
echo $foo;
?>

Output:

bar

If you want to unset() a global variable inside a function, you can use the $GLOBALS array to achieve this:

<?php
function foo() 
{
    unset($GLOBALS['bar']);
}

$bar = "something";
foo();
?>

If you unset() a variable passed by reference in a function, only the local variable is destroyed, and the variable in the calling environment will retain its value before the unset() call.

<?php
function foo(&$bar) {
    unset($bar);
    $bar = "blah";
}

$bar = 'something';
echo "$bar\n";

foo($bar);
echo "$bar\n";
?>

Output:

something
something

If you unset() a static variable inside a function, it will be destroyed within the function. However, when the function is called again, the static variable will be restored to its value before it was destroyed.

<?php
function foo()
{
    static $bar;
    $bar++;
    echo "Before unset: $bar, ";
    unset($bar);
    $bar = 23;
    echo "after unset: $bar\n";
}

foo();
foo();
foo();
?>

Output:

Before unset: 1, after unset: 23
Before unset: 2, after unset: 23
Before unset: 3, after unset: 23

PHP Available Functions

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