Though a PHP array consumes more memory, the flexibility of using a PHP array is much more important for many data structures. As a result, we will use a PHP regular array as well as SplFixedArray in many of our data structure implementations and algorithms. If we just consider a PHP array as a container for our data, it will be easier for us to utilize its immensely powerful features in many data structure implementations. Along with built-in functions, a PHP array is definitely a must use data structure for programming and developing applications using PHP.

PHP has some built-in sorting functions for an array. It can sort using keys and values along with keeping association while sorting. We are going to explore these built-in functions in Chapter 7, Using Sorting Algorithms.