New Array Functions in PHP 8.4: array_find, array_any, array_all

In the array functions lesson you met array_map, array_filter, and friends. PHP 8.4 adds four small but handy functions for searching an array with a callback: array_find, array_find_key, array_any, and array_all. They replace common loops you've probably written many times.

All four take the array first and a callback second. The callback receives each value (and optionally its key) and returns true or false. If callbacks are still new to you, revisit anonymous functions.

We'll use this sample array throughout the lesson:

<?php
$users = [
    ['name' => 'Ann',  'age' => 17],
    ['name' => 'Bob',  'age' => 25],
    ['name' => 'Cara', 'age' => 31],
];

array_find: get the first matching element

array_find() returns the first element for which the callback returns true. If nothing matches, it returns null.

<?php
$firstAdult = array_find($users, fn($user) => $user['age'] >= 18);

// ['name' => 'Bob', 'age' => 25]
print_r($firstAdult);

Before 8.4, you'd write a foreach with a break to do this:

<?php
// The old way
$firstAdult = null;
foreach ($users as $user) {
    if ($user['age'] >= 18) {
        $firstAdult = $user;
        break;
    }
}

array_find is that whole block in one line.

array_find_key: get the key instead of the value

array_find_key() works the same way but returns the key of the first match rather than the value. It returns null if nothing matches.

<?php
$key = array_find_key($users, fn($user) => $user['age'] >= 18);

echo $key; // 1  (Bob is at index 1)

This is useful when you need to know where the match is - for example, to update or remove that element afterward.

array_any: is there at least one match?

array_any() returns true if at least one element passes the callback, and false otherwise. It stops as soon as it finds a match.

<?php
$hasMinor = array_any($users, fn($user) => $user['age'] < 18);

var_dump($hasMinor); // bool(true) - Ann is 17

Read it out loud: "is any user a minor?" The function name matches the question.

array_all: do they all match?

array_all() returns true only if every element passes the callback. It stops at the first failure.

<?php
$allAdults = array_all($users, fn($user) => $user['age'] >= 18);

var_dump($allAdults); // bool(false) - Ann is only 17

"Are all users adults?" No, because Ann isn't. If you removed Ann, this would return true.

The callback can also receive the key

Like array_filter with its flag, these functions can pass the key as a second argument to your callback. That's handy when the key carries meaning:

<?php
$prices = ['apple' => 3, 'banana' => 2, 'cherry' => 8];

$hasExpensiveFruit = array_any(
    $prices,
    fn($price, $name) => $price > 5
);

var_dump($hasExpensiveFruit); // bool(true) - cherry is 8

Choosing the right one

• Need the matching element? Use array_find.
• Need its key/position? Use array_find_key.
• Just need a yes/no "is there one?"? Use array_any.
• Need a yes/no "are they all?"? Use array_all.

Summary

• PHP 8.4 adds array_find, array_find_key, array_any, and array_all.
• All take the array first and a callback second; the callback returns true/false.
• array_find returns the first matching value (or null); array_find_key returns its key.
• array_any returns true if at least one matches; array_all returns true only if all match.
• They replace common foreach + break loops with a single, readable line.

FAQ

What does array_find return if nothing matches?

It returns null. array_find_key also returns null when there is no match, so check for null before using the result.

What's the difference between array_any and array_all?

array_any returns true if at least one element passes the test. array_all returns true only if every element passes. Both return a boolean, not the elements themselves.

Can I use the array key in the callback?

Yes. The callback receives the value as the first argument and the key as the second, so you can write fn($value, $key) => ... when the key matters.