In addition to using array(), we can also create an array by wrapping comma-separated elements in square brackets ([ ]). This feature is sometimes referred to as short array syntax, and more closely resembles what you might see in other programming languages.

$number_array = [0, 1, 2];

In the code above, we created the variable $number_array and assigned as its value an array containing the numbers 0, 1, and 2. The number 0 is located at the 0th location index, the number 1 at the 1st, and the number 2 and the 2nd.

Let’s compare using short array syntax with invoking the array() function:

$string_array = array("first element", "second element");
$str_arr_short = ["first element", "second element"];

$mixed_array = array(1, "chicken", 78.2, "bubbles are crazy!");
$mix_arr_short = [1, "chicken", 78.2, "bubbles are crazy!"];

Here, regardless of which method we used, we got the same results.

When constructing arrays, we can also place each element on its own line to make it easier to read:

$long_array = [
  1,
  2,
  3,
  4,
  5,
  6
];

Let’s practice creating some short syntax arrays!