HOW THE QUIZ WORKS:
Clicking the ‘randomize’ button situated above the reference table generates a new table whereby the function descriptions, function syntaxes, and function return values are randomized. The quiz involves matching the function descriptions, function syntaxes, and function return values to the correct function name. Information relating to the randomization of table cells will be displayed for three seconds, before disappearing.
On a desktop computer, table elements are selected by left-clicking the desired table cell and holding the left click in the mouse down position for one second before releasing the left click. The text inside the table cell will turn red to indicate that the one-second mouse left-click has successfully selected a table cell. To then swap the selected table cell with the target table cell, simply repeat the one-second left mouse-click process on the target cell; the table cells will swap position. To de-select a table cell, simply repeat the one-second left mouse-click process on the original table cell.
To select a table element on a touchscreen device (mobile, tablet), simply touch the desired table cell and maintain the touch for one second before removing your finger from the screen. The text inside the table cell will turn red to indicate that the one-second touch has successfully selected a table cell. To then swap the selected table cell with the target table cell, simply repeat the one-second touch process on the target cell; the table cells will swap position. To de-select a table cell, simply repeat the one-second touch process on the original table cell.
Normal touchscreen scrolling behaviour is exhibited by the cells with a light green background; cells without a light green background will not respond to normal touchscreen scrolling. The table is positioned in such a way that the user can also initiate touchscreen scrolling by swiping to the right or left of the table.
When a row consists of the correct function name, function description, function syntax, and function return value, the background colour of the row will change from ‘transparent’ to ‘khaki’; this provides visual feedback that the row is complete.
Once the entire table is complete, a paragraph of feedback will congratulate the user and provide the following information: date and time of quiz commencement; date and time of quiz completion; and the length of time it took the user to complete the quiz.
VIEWPORT OPTIONS:
PURPOSE:
This webpage serves two purposes:
- It provides a reference table for the PHP array functions, with information extracted and condensed from w3schools.com and php.net.
- It enables users to complete a quiz related to the PHP array functions.
USAGE:
For each array function there are four table cells of information: the function name; the function description; the function syntax; and the function return value. There are three layouts available – ‘mobile‘, ‘tablet‘, and ‘desktop‘.
Click the relevant button below to display the PHP array functions reference table, sized appropriately for the desired viewport. A ‘RANDOMIZE‘ button appears above the reference table once the viewport is selected; clicking this button facilitates the commencement of a quiz.
Once the randomization of function descriptions, function syntaxes, and function return values has taken place, an ‘AUTO COMPLETE‘ button will appear above a button that facilitates a ‘RETURN TO VIEWPORT SELECTION‘. Clicking the ‘AUTO COMPLETE‘ button initiates a ‘self-completing quiz’ effect: the table cells will be correctly rearranged before your eyes in real-time. This ‘self-completion in real-time’ lasts approximately one-and-a-half minutes. You can rearrange the cells in any order that you like before clicking the ‘AUTO COMPLETE‘ button – the quiz will still ‘complete itself’.
Click the ‘RANDOMIZE‘ button to randomize the functional descriptions, the functional syntaxes, and the functional return information.
| FUNCTION NAME | FUNCTION DESCRIPTION | FUNCTION SYNTAX | FUNCTION RETURN VALUE |
|---|---|---|---|
ksort()
[Sort an array by key] |
Sorts array by key, maintaining key-data correlations. | ksort(array, sort_flag [optional]);
[sort_flag options: SORT_REGULAR; SORT_NUMERIC; SORT_STRING; SORT_LOCALE_STRING; SORT_NATURAL; and SORT_FLAG_CASE.] |
ksort(): returns TRUE on success; FALSE on failure. |
list()
[Assign variables as if they were an array] |
Assigns a list of variables in one operation. list() only works on numerical arrays and assumes the numerical indices start at 0. In PHP 5, list() assigns the values starting with the right-most parameter; in PHP 7 this assignment order has been inverted. Attention must be paid when using this function with arrays. |
list(variable1, variable2... [optional]); |
Returns the assigned array. |
natcasesort()
[Sort an array using a case-insensitive “natural order” algorithm] |
Implements a sort algorithm that orders alphanumeric strings in the way a human being would while maintaining key-value associations: a “natural ordering”. If two members compare as equal their relative order in the sorted array is undefined. This is a case-insensitive version of natsort(). |
natcasesort(array); |
natcasesort(): returns TRUE on success, FALSE on failure. |
natsort()
[Sort an array using a “natural order” algorithm] |
Implements a sort algorithm that orders alphanumeric strings in the way a human being would while maintaining key-value associations: a “natural ordering”. If two members compare as equal their relative order in the sorted array is undefined. This is a case-sensitive version of natcasesort(). |
natsort(array); |
natsort(): returns TRUE on success, FALSE on failure. |
next()
[Advance the internal pointer of an array] |
Advances the internal pointer of array by one [i.e. to the next element] and returns the value found there. | next(array); |
Returns the value pointed to after advancing the internal pointer to the next element, or FALSE if there are no more elements. |
prev()
[Rewind the internal array pointer] |
Rewinds the internal pointer of array by one [i.e. to the previous element] and returns the value found there. | prev(array); |
Returns the value pointed to after rewinding the internal pointer to the previous element, or FALSE if there are no more elements. |
range()
[Create an array containing a range of elements] |
Creates an array containing a range of elements. | range(start, end, step [optional]);
[If step is specified it will be used as the increment between elements in the sequence. Should be given as a positive number. Default is 1.] |
Returns an array of elements, ranging from start to end, inclusive. |