Shorthand for arrays: is there a literal syntax like {} or []?

Solution 1:

Update:
As of PHP 5.4.0 a shortened syntax for declaring arrays has been introduced:

$list = [];

Previous Answer:

There isn't. Only $list = array(); But you can just start adding elements.

<?php
$list[] = 1;
$list['myKey'] = 2;
$list[42] = 3;

It's perfectly OK as far as PHP is concerned. You won't even get a E_NOTICE for undefined variables.

E_NOTICE level error is issued in case of working with uninitialized variables, however not in the case of appending elements to the uninitialized array.

As for shorthand methods, there are lots scattered all over. If you want to find them just read The Manual.

Some examples, just for your amusement:

1. $arr[] shorthand for array_push.
2. The foreach construct
3. echo $string1, $string2, $string3;
4. Array concatenation with +
5. The existence of elseif
6. Variable embedding in strings, $name = 'Jack'; echo "Hello $name";

Solution 2:

YES, it exists!!

Extracted from another Stack Overflow question:

The shortened syntax for arrays has been rediscussed, accepted, and is now on the way be released with PHP 5.4

Usage:

$list = [];

Reference: PHP 5.4 Short Hand for Arrays

Solution 3:

It is also possible to define content inside [ ] like so:

  $array = ['vaue1', 'value2', 'key3'=>['value3', 'value4']];

This will only work in php5.4 and above.

Solution 4:

There are none as of PHP 5.3.

http://us.php.net/manual/en/language.types.array.php