The programming paradigm we have learned so far is called Procedural Paradigm. In Procedural programming paradigm, programmer writes a program as collections of independently behaving procedures and makes use of procedure call to access those procedures. As we already discussed in Part8, how procedural programming is a better choice than a simple unstructured programming. It has been a long time, programmers have started thinking about new paradigm called Object oriented paradigm (OOP) which provides a better way to develop big and complex system than procedural programming. We don’t want to confuse readers by putting too complex terms and advantages of OOP at this stage, we will discuss when required.

In OOP, a class is a language construct that is used as a template or blue print to create instances of class called objects. This tutorial explains step by step to make the things clear. 

Creating Class

Example#1

The example below creates a class called Person. It has two instance variables; name and address and few methods. The instance variables are not accessible outside the class when they are defined as private; we need methods to access them. But public variable can be accessed outside the class. All instance variables should be kept private and there should be some methods to access those variables. Here, we have SET and GET methods which are be public. All methods should be public; otherwise they cannot be accessed outside the class.

After the end of class, we have created a instance “p” of class “Person”. “p” is called object of class “Person”. Note that, “p” object binds instance variables and methods together, that property of OOP is known as encapsulation.

<?php
class Person
{
// Properties or Instance variables
private $name;
private $address;

//Methods or behaviours
//set methods are used to set the instance variables
              public function setName($aName)
             {
	         $this->name= $aName;
    	}
	public function setAddress($aAddress)
	{
       		$this->address= $aAddress;
    	}
	//get methods are used to get the instance variables
	public function getName()
	{
      		 return $this->name;
    	}
	public function getAddress()
	{
        		return $this->address;
    	}
}// end of class

//create a object of Person class
$p = new Person();
//Set name
$p->setName("Gary Tom");
//Set address
$p->setAddress("Unit 10 Nelson Bay, NSW 2030 Australia");
//Print name
echo $p->getName();
//Print Address
echo $p->getAddress();
?>

The output of the above code will be
Gary Tom Unit 10 Nelson Bay, NSW 2030 Australia

Constructor and Destructor

When we create an object constructor method is called, hence it is useful to initialize the instance variables before they are ready to use. Similarly, destructor method is called when we destroy the objects.

Example#2

The code we have in this example produces the same output as in example#1, but has been implemented in a different way. Here we initialize the instance variables using constructors.

<?php
class Person
{
    	// Properties or Instance variables
   	 private $name;
	private $address;

	//Default Constructor
	public function __construct()
	{
       		$this->name= "Gary Tom";
	   	$this->address= "Unit 10 Nelson Bay, NSW 2030 Australia";
   	}
      	//Default Destructor
   	function __destruct()
   	{
     		//This portion of the code will be executed when
	 	// we destroy an object explicitly.
   	}

  	//get methods are used to get the instance variables
	public function getName()
	{
       		return $this->name;
    	}
	public function getAddress()
	{
        		return $this->address;
    	}
}// end of class

//create a object of Person class
$p = new Person();
//Print name
echo $p->getName();
//Print Address
echo $p->getAddress();
?>

This code will also produces the same output as in example#1, that is
Gary Tom Unit 10 Nelson Bay, NSW 2030 Australia

Inheritance

As the name suggests, inheritance is a principle by which child class can inherit the methods form its parent class and the methods performs their original functionality.

Example#3

In this example, we extend a class called Student from the class Person. The subclass Student inherits printMe methods and all instance variables from the parent class Person. The printMe method of Person class has been rewritten with the same name in Student class. If a method with same name exists in parent and child class, the child class object has two version of the same module. In this situation the child class method overrides the parent class method, it known as method overriding.  When we call printMe method of Student object, it calls printMe of Student class not the printMe of Person class. Remember that all data members of Person class are available in Student class.

<?php
class Person
{
    	// Properties or Instance variables
    	private $name;
	private $address;

   	//Function to print Instance variables
   	public function printMe()
   	{
   		echo $this->name.", ".$this->address;
   	}
}// end of Person class

//Student class, inherits from Person class
class Student extends Person
{
	//Instance variables, remember that name and address is inherited from Person
	private $program;

	//Default Constructor
	public function __construct()
	{
       		$this->name= "Gary Tom";
	   	$this->address= "Unit 10 Nelson Bay NSW 2030 Australia";
	   	$this->program= "Masters in IT";
   	}

   	public function printMe()
   	{
   		echo $this->name.", ".$this->address.", ".$this->program;
   	}
}// end of Student class

//create a object of Person class
$s = new Student();
//Print s
$s->printMe();
?>

The output of the above code will be
Gary Tom, Unit 10 Nelson Bay NSW 2030 Australia, Masters in IT

This tutorial tries to describe Classes and Objects in short, for a complete reference please visit http://www.php.net/manual/en/language.oop5.php

A form is an area where user can input data. The place in the form where user input data is called form element. A form element can be a text field, text area field, drop-down list, radio buttons and checkbox. In this tutorial we will apply the knowledge we have gained so far and use it with HTML forms. The best thing to use PHP with HTML is that any elements in HTML forms are directly available in PHP scripts. That means the data entered in HTML forms can be manipulated using PHP scripts.

Creating form

A form is created using <form> tag. To learn more about HTML please refer to HTML tutorials available in net. Let us start with a simple HTML form that we use for user feedback.

Example#1

<html>
<body>
<form >
 <p>Name : <input type="text" name="name" /></p>
 <p>Email : <input type="text" name="email" /></p>
 <p>Subject : <input type="text" name="subject" /></p>
 <p>Message : <br/>
 <textarea rows="10" cols="30"> </textarea>
 <p><input type="submit" /></p>
</form>
</body>

The output of the above HTML code will be

Collecting information from HTML form using POST method

As we already mentioned, the best thing to use PHP with HTML is that any elements in HTML forms are directly available in PHP scripts. After filling the form, when we pressed Submit Query button, everything we filled in the form will be available in PHP script.

Example#2

<html>
<body>
<form action="action.php" method="post">
 <p>Name : <input type="text" name="name" /></p>
 <p>Email : <input type="text" name="email" /></p>
 <p>Subject : <input type="text" name="subject" /></p>
 <p>Message : <br/>
 <textarea rows="10" cols="30"> </textarea>
 <p><input type="submit" /></p>
</form>
</body>

We can notice that we added action and method in the above code, which tells the server what action is to be taken and what method is to be used. In this example, when we click on Submit Query button the page action.php is called and the method used is post. In order to access the form elements we should write action.php like this. Note that the file name should be action.php and saved in the same directory.

action.php

<?php
echo $_POST["name"]."<br/>";
echo $_POST["email"]."<br/>";
echo $_POST["subject"]."<br/>";
echo $_POST["message"];
?>

When we fill the form and click the submit button, action.php will be called, the URL will look like http://webanddesigners.com/action.php. Information filled in the form is now available in action.php page. post method use $_POST array to save the form information, the name of the form fields will be the key in the $_POST array.

Collecting information from HTML form using GET method

The following code is exactly same as code in example#2, except that the method used here is GET.

Example#3

<html>
<body>
<form action="action.php" method="get">
 <p>Name : <input type="text" name="name" /></p>
 <p>Email : <input type="text" name="email" /></p>
 <p>Subject : <input type="text" name="subject" /></p>
 <p>Message : <br/>
 <textarea rows="10" cols="30"> </textarea>
 <p><input type="submit" /></p>
</form>
</body>

action.php will look like as the following code. Note that when GET method is used the data elements are available in $_GET array. The data elements are accessed in the similar fashion.

action.php

<?php
echo $_GET["name"]."<br/>";
echo $_GET["email"]."<br/>";
echo $_GET["subject"]."<br/>";
echo $_GET["message"];
?>

Comparison of GET and POST method

When we use GET method, the information sent is visible. It will display the variable and value in browser’s address bar. The address bar will look like http://webanddesigners.com/action.php?name=John&email=john@webanddesigner.com&subject=hi&message=This+is+the+test+message+using+get+method. There is a limitation in the amount of data send using GET method, maximum of 100 characters can be send. One best thing about GET method is that, the page can be bookmarked; this is because all the variables and data are available in URL.

When we use POST method the information sent is completely invisible. In addition, there is no restriction on the amount of information to be sent. Up to 8mb of data can be sent using POST method. However, because data and variables are not available in URL, it is not possible to bookmark the page. The URL will look like http://webanddesigners.com/action.php

Here I am going to share the best ways in which you can make you image gallery look magnificent using image gallery WordPress Plugins.

1. NextGEN Gallery

With Flash slideshow option Nextgen stands out as it is a full integrated Image Gallery plugin for WordPress. Templates .You can make your gallery attractive with the custom templates .It mobilizes the gallery through making it possible to move the images between galleries .Overall this plug-in helps you mobilize the gallery.

2. Lightbox Gallery

This plugin helps you as it changes the look of the gallery to the light box.

3. PhotoSmash Galleries

A user contributable photo gallery is what makes this plugin so special. This plugin makes it simple to create photo galleries in posts such that your users can upload images in it without complexity.

4. kPicasa Gallery

With PHP5 as a basic component, Picasa web galleries are displayed in a post or in a page simply by creating a post or a page with a special keyword. To your delight your images are placed on the Picasa Web Gallery server .this plugin provides you with the choice for displaying the large version of your photos using Highslide, Lightbox, Slimbox or Thickbox.

5. Post videos and photo galleries

All your multimedia need can be fulfilled by this plugins. As this is one professional platform which takes care of your desire and demand related to multimedia .

6. Lazyest Gallery

Things can’t get better with this as it is fully integrated with automatic slide and thumb creation .It eases you by managing comment per images or folders and makes and arrangement of folder and image by date alphabetically or manually. It reduces boredom of uploading as it has Windows Xp upload wizard which uploads many files at once. It cant get better until you use it.

7. Dynamic Content Gallery

Using mootools framework this plugin is driven by SmoothGallery which creates an excellent dynamic gallery of images for latest and/or featured posts. Using Post Custom Fields it connects your gallery images with individual posts.

8. NextGEN-ImageFlow

9. NextGEN-FlashViewer

As the name suggests it is the famous adobe flash Plugins from Airtight Interactive for NextGEN Gallery.

10. WordPress Gallery Slideshow

11. Flickr-slideshow-wrapper

12. Gallery Widget

If you want your latest/random images of the word press media gallery inside a widget, directly in your templates this Gallery widget makes it happen.

13. Yet Another Photoblog

It’s in your hand to exploit the big platform of Word press. In virtually no time this plugin helps you convert your Word Press Blog into a full featured photoblog.

14. Fotobook

Face book is very popular these days this plugin helps you link to your Facebook account. It imports all of your photo albums for use in your Word Press installation

15. Cleaner Gallery

As the name suggests it get you get free from all the trouble by validating the appalling XHTML that Word Press emits. It provides you with varied options, you can make your gallery your way allowing you to exclude or include any images. With multiple galleries in a single post the cleaner gallery makes you the boss as it doesn’t load any JavaScript unless you want to.

If you are a person who loves being recognized for creativity it is the right time to master the art of Illustrator and here we bring in to you the best of illustrator that will allow you to flourish as a creative head .

1. How to Create a Rocketing, Vector Aircraft Shuttle

2. Create a Rolling Stones Inspired Tongue Illustration

3. How to Create a Photorealistic iMac and Magic Mouse

4. Create a Happy Sun Character

5. Learn Illustrator CS3 in 30 Days

6. Quirky

7. Trendy Geometric Lines Design Tutorial

8. A Pseudo-Sugar Skull: From Start to Finish.

9. Twitterlove Bird, from sketch to vector

10. How to Create an Open Book with Illustrator’s 3D Extrude & Bevel Tool

11. Turn a Boring Bar Graph into a 3D Masterpiece

12. Master painting in Illustrator

13. How to Create a Vector Safari Compass in Illustrator

14. Make a Torn Vector Desktop Wallpaper with Angled Text

15. How to Create a Crafts Inspired Vector Kids Illustration

16. Drawing homer simpson in illustrator

17. Blueprint-Style Text in Adobe Illustrator

18. Praying Symbols in Adobe Illustrator

19. Tips for Working with the Gradient Mesh Tool In Illustrator

20. Illustrator’s Pen Tool: The Comprehensive Guide

21. Creating Editable Letterpress Styled Text

22. How To Create A Vector Wacom Tablet In Illustrator

23. Building a Website Wireframe in Illustrator

24. Create an envelpe icon with a satin feel

25. Creating convincing characters

26. Swirl Mania in Illustrator & Photoshop

27. Draw A Realistic Vector Guitar in Inkscape

28. Create a Bright Retro Grunge Vector Illustration

29. How to Create a Killer Chainsaw Bunny Character

30. Craft a Vector Collegiate Notebook Desig

31. Tracing Photo

32. Creating an Environmentally Friendly Green Type Treatment

33. Logo Design Project Step by Step Walkthrough

34. Creating geometric patterns in Illustrator

35. Create a tasty skate deck graphic

36. Draw Your Self Portrait

37. Leather Stylin’ in Illustrator

38. Design with Swirls and Flourishes

39. Disco Ball Tutorial

40. Create a Rotatable Globe in Adobe Illustrator

Top Sites for Illustrator tutorials

1. VECTORTUTS

2. Vectips

3. Blog.SpoonGraphics

4. Veerle’s blog

5. GoMediaZine

6. BittBox

7. N.Design Studio

8. BioRUST

9. Vectordiary

10. FreeTransform

11. IllustratorWorld

12. AiVault

13. AiBURN

14. IllustrationClass

A function is a subprogram that performs a specific task when called by the main program. It is always a good practice to divide a huge program into a number of subprograms until elementary functions are reached. More clearly, a huge program should be divided into number of functions, and a function precisely should do one job. Suppose, we have a big program that reads data from user at the beginning, save data to a database and displays the saved data at the end. We can divide this program into three subprograms or functions. The first function reads data from user, the second function writes data to the database and finally third function writes data to monitor.

There are number of advantages of implementing a huge program into a number of subprograms. The first advantage is we can reuse the existing code. During a single execution of a program, a function can be called several times from different places and even from another function. The second advantage is it is easy to understand the program logic, debugging and testing is easier.

Functions can be categorised in two broad topics, built-in functions and user defined functions. Built-in functions are the language constructs that comes with PHP. There are hundreds of built-in functions available in PHP for our use. User-defined functions are the functions created by programmers. In this tutorial we will discuss user-defined functions in detail.

Creating function

Let us start with a simple function that calculates sum of two numbers.

Example#1

<html>
<body>
<?php
/*
This function calculates the sum of two numbers
*/
function sum()
{
            //declare and initialize variables
            $x=20;
            $y=30;
            $z=$x+$y;
            //print the result
            echo 'The value of $x is '.$x. ' and value of $y is '. $y .' The result of  $x + $y is '.$z;
}
//Execution of this program starts from here, and calls the function sum, that means code inside the function sum will be executed
sum();
?>
</body>

 
Function with parameter

Though we can call the function sum in example#1 as many times as we want, it produces the same result. Let us modify the above code to achieve better result.

Example#2

<html>
<body>
<?php
/*
This function calculates the sum of two numbers
*/
function sum($x,$y)
{
            //Calculate result
            $result=$x+$y;
            //print the result
            echo $result;
}
//Execution starts from here
$x=20;
$y=30;
sum($x,$y);

//We can call the function using different value
$x=200;
$y=300;
sum($x,$y);
?>
</body>

The code in both examples provides the same functionality but the variables in example#1 are hardcoded inside the function itself and hence, can provide the functionality of adding the hardcoded values. If we have to add other numbers we have to write another function. The code in example#2 solves this problem by passing parameters and provides more functionality. We can add any two numbers any times by just calling the function with parameters. The function sum in example#2 takes two parameters. The parameters are enclosed in parenthesis and separated by comma.

Function with parameter and return value

A function can also return value. The return statement is optional. A function can return any type including arrays and objects. After a function returns a value, its execution is passed back to the line from which it was called. Let us modify the code of example#2 to see how a function can return value.

Example#3

<html>
<body>
<?php
/*
This function calculates and returns the sum of two numbers
*/
function sum($x,$y)
{
            //Calculate result
            $result=$x+$y;
            return $result;
}
//Execution starts from here
$x=200;
$y=300;
//calculate and print the result
echo "The sum is : ". sum($x,$y);
?>
</body>

For a complete reference of functions please visit http://www.php.net/manual/en/language.functions.php

As you are thinking of making a difference, it is the right time you start to blog. There are number of questions that makes you ponder when you think about blog .the first thing that arises is what do I blog about? Where shall I convey my thoughts? Who am I blogging with? Here I some few answers to your queries, following these suggestions you can in no time be a very popular blogger blogging in your own style and way.

The ultimate blogging platform, where shall you start

Before moving ahead into what you want to express. It is necessary you find out where you are going to portray your thoughts .For this different blogging platform are available, some are free whereas some cost you subscription either monthly or yearly. Some are hosted for you whereas some entail you to do it on your own.

The best way to start is through the hosted blogging platform like wordpress.com, blogger.com, MSN Spaces, Type Pad. These are at your service free and easy to use and with a minimum of setup.

When you are well to do with the concept of blog and are in a state to create things your way then you can think about creating your own blog in your own style.

You have the platform, now you are ready to take off the flight of blogging

Blog is a creative means through which you flow your ideas, so you need to be clear what you want others to know from you as a result you are able to bring in some innovative and impressive ideas which the world appreciates. So you need to have an aim a destination a view that you want to express. The assertive action as a blogger would be selecting a theme. A theme that will help you lead your way.

Theme is rather considered important as theme helps you move in a correct path, and synchronizes the blogging chart . When you know the topic you want to talk about you have a target audience a niche market who can listen to what you have say. Having a theme helps a blogger frequently update the post which increases the charm of blogging making the blog appreciated by people around.

How will you make your blog stand out in the crowd

Photo credit: Matthew Pugliese

The biggest challenge as a blog author is to bring in people your way and make them listen to what you have to say. For this you need to follow certain guidelines which shall make your blog outstanding .the things that will help you outreach to the target group are:

Have a niche market

Photo credit: Cristiangil

You need to have an understanding of who are you catering to, what is that your reader would like to hear from you .Once you understand you have won half the battle of blogging .

Use chivalrous title and gallant content

Title represents your blog , title is the thing that makes the first impression so it is necessary you draw the attention of your reader through the title and grab them into the content. Content needs to be outstanding and worth reading as no one in today’s busy schedule like to buzz on something that is not worth. So through voracious reading make your content out of this world.

See to it that your post is short clear lively and important of all impressive

You blog to make an impression .A impressive blog in return turns out to be effective creating hype for the things that you blog about. People don’t have time for bogus stuff. So try and make your blog to the point, do not use jargon, and do not engulf your readers by stuffing them with more than a single idea into each sentence.

These few tips and you can lead the blogging platform as every sector has some rules to follow and regarding blogging there are some copyright issue that you can’t ignore. As ignorance can become a nightmare if you manipulate the copyright stuff. So as you embark into the field of blog you need to consider copyright fact. The simple technological advancement can result in illegal and costly mistakes so as a blogger you need to consider these simple dos and don’t of copyright law.

Things that copyright permits

If it’s in public domain you can get hold of it. Public domain refers to documents and materials published by the federal government and those materials that has been produced before 1977 without a copyright notice. So if materials in these places is of any use to you, you can go forward with it.

Facts and figures can be utilized

Facts and ideas reported on articles or websites are considered fair to use as facts and ideas are universally correct and comes in consent to every individual.

Apart from the Facts and figure things that are considered fair

According to the book of copyright names, familiar symbols, listings of ingredients or contents, short phrases, titles, slogans and procedures can be used and are considered fair if used with no dire act.

Make it yours if you are criticizing

Quotation and logo is of your use, But you need to be cautious while using them as Copyright is only consent to the use of quotation, logo for criticism, commentary or news reporting the other aspect that needs to be taken care of is the quote that you are using should involve only a small portion of the work, it in no ways should imitate the “sensitivity” of the material.

Things that are against the book of copyright

If you need it you have to ask for it

The materials that are kept under copyright issue can only be used with strict permission from the author. So if you need any material take it with the consent of the author and you will be in the legal boundary of copyright.

What if there is no copyright symbol?

The materials which are not shown under the copyright should not be copied .As all published work automatically gets copyright protection, whether articulated with a notice or not.

You can’t act smart by removing what you have copied

If you are thinking on acting smart by copying the material and in case of trouble removing it. Your smartness wont help you from copyright intrusion, and if the author gets an idea for sure you will be real trouble.

Think twice while comparing direct copying with creative commons

If the site is licensed creative common than you are in a stare to use its material but you need to be clear that nothing is free in this world you have to credit the author whose material you are using. Creative common license is liberal than copyright but it has certain obligation that you have to fulfill .so be cautious when you are using it as you cant just grab it but you have to credit the author for using it.

With all the assertive action and preemptive measures you are now ready to blog. So run in the track of blogging and bit all the racers through innovation.

Error 404 can ease you with this, as a creative and innovative Error 404 page if thought it can give you a chance to hold back on your visitor. Everyone loves to stay in a humble ambiance so the ease and warmth if shown through an effective Error 404 page your visitor will stay with you for a long time. Here we have added some proactive ideas to enhance the Error 404 page making it look salient.

1. Openendedadventure

2. Fry wiles

3. The north face

4. Gog

5. Istockphoto

6. Product planner

7. Rocket theme

8. Ferdaze

9. Digital Mash

10. South park studios

11. Spore

12. Just Creative Design

13. Acromediainc

14. Inverseparadox

15. Mixx

16. Woo Themes

17. Soocial

18. Slonky

19. Patterntap

20. Bluedaniel

21. Retardzone

22. Lightpostcreative

23. DigWP

24. WP beginner

25. Tinsanity

26. Agens

27. Springload

28. CSS tricks

29. Twinpx

30. Lookitsme

31. Youcastr

32. Chrisjennings

33. Studio7designs

Considering these feasible simple steps of marketing your webpage will hit the target making your page popular among the target audience.

1. AdWords a way to make things work your way

AdWords is in all prospects the most competent method to create traffic for your website. In order to get the traffic flow in your website it is highly recommended advertising on Google AdWords and on other search engines on a pay-per-click basis. Every time a person clicks on your advert and goes to your site you pay.

2. Maximum optimization of search engine through plenty of clues as to what your webpage is about

The search engines send out “spiders” to look at websites and list their content so that when someone searches for keywords, they can point up to the sites which contain them. So in order to make maximum use of search engine your page needs to have good keyword list. Once you get hold of the list, you can make use of those words for search engine optimization in everything from your content to your Meta tags.

3. Prove your existence through participation in online forums blogs and social media

Forum and blogs craze is in hype these days. So in order to reach to the niche market following the popular forum which caters to your target group is the right thing to do. So make a study of all popular forums that in ways relate to your site and make sure that these blogs allow a simple link to your site .Blogs and forum look for valuable posts and in return provides link to your site, so at the end of the day it is a win-win situation for both the forum and your site.

The rampage of booming social media can’t be kept aside when we are talking about promotion. As this is one platform where varied mass can be cater in one shot .This kind of social media site helps create interaction between people which helps promote your site by directing direct traffic, producing links to your site, and creating awareness.

4. Have confidence in your site keep talking about it

Word of Mouth always leads the promotion chart, so never hesitate in talking about your site .As this is one mechanism that makes people come to your site and if you are certain that your site is different than other then this will drag people to revisit your site. Through family friends and colleague soon enough you will see a drastic increase in traffic.

Providing something interesting is a huge challenge for which you need to have great interesting and fascinating content .So a great content is a big way in which word of mouth marketing works.

5. Benefit from reciprocal link

Photo credit: krish.Tipirneni.

Promotion is an art of convincing people, convincing an individual and keeping the person in hand requires a lot of patience. Things get easier when two website having general niche work together and you request a reciprocal link to your site .For better result you should find in site that cater to the same mass as you do. Don’t get over ambitious and search for big banner sites with heavy traffic flow rather search for site that has similar amount of traffic as your own site.

This will ease you financially and you will see effective result with the flow of traffic increasing.

So given some time and believe in these effective technique your site will reach height with the desired traffic flow in no time.

Photo credit thumbnail: kevinzhengli

So if you are a person who has passion towards photos and have the desire to make your photo of some worth. Here we have posted some effects of Photoshop which can help your photos stand ahead in the crowd .

1. Create a Funky Perspective of a Model Riding Digital Volume

2. Dance Photo Manipulation

3. Creating an Abstract Watercolor Wallpaper

4. How to Create a Fantasy Landscape Photo Manipulation

5. Creative Photoshop Animal King Photo Manipulation Tutorial

6. How to Turn Humdrum Photos into Cinematic Portraits

7. Expressive lighting effects

8. The Making of Mystic

9. Dramatic Gritty Effect

10. Create a Powerful Mental Wave Explosion Effect

11. Fantastic Disintegration Effect inspired by Watchmen in Photoshop

12. Selective Sepia

13. Add Another Dimension

14. How to Create a Chilling Photo Manipulation in Photoshop

15. Using Photoshop and Your Brain to Produce Diorama Illusions

16. Realistic Spotlight Effect in Photoshop

17. Manipulate Smoke to Create Hyper-Real Images

18. Beautiful Lady Effect

19. Photoshop Water Reflection – Add A Realistic Water Reflection

20. Photoshop Rain Effect – Adding Rain To A Photo

Array is a systematic collection of data of similar data types that can be accessed by numeric index. Array is one of the most important and oldest data structures that are used to implement other data structures like strings, maps, vector etc. An array in PHP is in fact an ordered map type that associates values to keys. We suggest readers to not get confused with map type here, simply understand PHP array as a data type that can be accessed using keys.

In a situation where it is almost impossible to create a number of variables, a single array can solve the problem. For example, we need to store marks of 100 students having Roll no 1 to 100. Instead of creating 100 variables student1, student2, ……., student100 we can create an array of size 100. After we created array, the Roll no can be used as index. More clearly, mark of student with Roll no 1 can be a stored and accessed using index 1, i.e. student[1].

Creating Array

Syntax

array() is used to create an array. We can specify any number of parameters of key => value pairs separated by comma.

array(  key1 =>  value1, key2 =>value 2,..............keyn => valuen)

Key can only be number or string, but value can be any type, it can be an array, map, vector, object or any other PHP supported type.

Example#1

<html>
<body>
<?php
/*
Output: 59 69 90 84 73 79 33 66 93 54
Average marks: 70
Marks of Roll No 5: 73
Program description: This program creates an array called student with 10 elements
and stores marks obtained by each student. The code inside the foreach loop print the marks obtained
by each student and adds to the totalMarks. After foreach loop the Average marks is calculated.
*/
$student  = array(1 => 59, 2 => 69, 3 => 90, 4 => 84, 5 => 73, 6 => 79, 7 => 33, 8 => 66, 9 => 93, 10 => 54);
/*
This array can also be defined as
$student = array(59, 69, 90, 84, 73, 79, 33, 66, 93, 54);
If you want to start index from a specific number for example say 100, you can write like
$student = array(100 => 59, 69, 90, 84, 73, 79, 33, 66, 93, 54);
*/
$totalMarks=0;
foreach($student as $marks)
{
         echo $marks." ";
         $totalMarks+=$marks;
}
echo "<br/> Average marks: ". $totalMarks/10;

/*
It is also possible to access the array element using the numeric index,
for example to print the marks of student with rollno 5 can be printed as
*/
echo "<br/> Marks of Roll No 5 : ". $student[5];
?>
</body>

The array we used in example has a numeric index or key. We can also implement array with string key, this array is known as associative array very similar to map data structure.

Example#2

<html>
<body>
<?php
/*
Output: 59 69 90 84 73 79 33 66 93 54
Average marks: 70
Marks of Sam: 69
Program description: This program creates an array called student with 10 elements
and stores marks obtained by each student. The code inside the foreach loop print the marks obtained
by each student and adds to the totalMarks. After foreach loop the Average marks is calculated.
*/

$student  = array("Hary" => 59, "Sam" => 69, "Joe" => 90, "Kevin" => 84, "Kelly" => 73, "Steve" => 79,
 "Craig" => 33, "Jodi" => 66, "John"=> 93, "Rose" => 54);
$totalMarks=0;
foreach($student as $marks)
{
            echo $marks." ";
            $totalMarks+=$marks;
}
echo "<br/> Average marks: ". $totalMarks/10;

/*
It is also possible to access the array element using the string key,
for example to print the marks of "Sam" can be printed as
*/
echo "<br/> Marks of Sam : ". $student["Sam"];
?>
</body>

Modifying array

To modify an existing array, we can assign values explicitly to the array. Remember that, if the specified array does not exist yet, a new array will be created. The following example shows how to modify an existing array.

Example#3

<html>
<body>
<?php
/*
This program creates an array called countries with two elements
*/
$countries  = array(1 => "Australia", 2 => "New Zealand");
// To add a country called Japan, we need to assigh it explicitly as
$countries[3] = "Japan";
// We can aslo add a element without specifying the key, in this situation
// the key of new element will he the key of last element + 1
$countries[] = "United Kingdom";
 
//To simply print an array we can use the function print_r($array) as follows
// Output: Array ( [1] => Australia [2] => New Zealand [3] => Japan [4] => United Kingdom )
print_r($countries);

/* Deleting element from array:
Output:  Array ( [1] => Australia [3] => Japan [4] => United Kingdom )
Remember that the key of Japan and United Kingdom does not get changed
*/
unset($countries[2]);
print_r($countries);

// This will delete the whole array
unset($countries);
//If we try to print the array, a message like the following will be displayed
//Undefined variable: countries in C:\wamp\www\WebTest\index.php on line 29
print_r($countries);
?>
</body>

For a complete reference of array please visit http://www.php.net/manual/en/language.types.array.php and for complete reference on array functions please visit http://www.w3schools.com/PHP/php_ref_array.asp