reference appendices
Function And Method Index Strategy
The PHP manual’s function and method indexes are useful when you know roughly what operation you need but not the exact API name. Search by concept, then verify signature, return values, errors, and version notes on the canonical page.
Use This Reference When
- Looking up an unfamiliar built-in.
- Checking whether failure returns
false,null, or throws. - Confirming parameter order before editing legacy code.
IDE completion helps discovery, but the manual remains the authority for built-in behaviour and version-specific notes.
Practice
Research a Built-In Function
Look up array_search() and record its success return type, failure return value, and the comparison mode you would normally prefer.
Show solution
It returns an integer or string key on success and false on failure. Compare strictly against false; use strict mode when type juggling is not intended.