1.2.1460. array_key_exists() Speedup

array_key_exists() has its own opcode, leading to better features and speed.

isset() is faster for all non-empty values, but is limited when the value is NULL or empty : then, array_key_exists() has the good features.

This change makes `array_key_exists() <https://www.php.net/array_key_exists>`_ actually faster than `isset() <https://www.www.php.net/isset>`_ by ~25% (tested with GCC 8, -O3, march=native, mtune=native)..

<?php

$foo = [123 => 456];

// This is sufficient and efficient since PHP 7.4
if (array_search_key($foo[123])) {
    // do something
}

// taking advantages of performances for PHP 7.4 and older
if (isset($foo[123]) || array_search_key($foo[123])) {
    // do something
}

?>

See also Implement ZEND_ARRAY_KEY_EXISTS opcode to speed up array_key_exists().

1.2.1460.1. Suggestions

• Remove the isset() call and the logical operator

1.2.1460.2. Specs

Short name	Performances/ArrayKeyExistsSpeedup
Rulesets	All, Changed Behavior, Performances, Suggestions
Exakat since	1.6.1
PHP Version	With PHP 7.4 and more recent
Severity	Minor
Time To Fix	Quick (30 mins)
Precision	Very high
Features	opcode
Available in	Entreprise Edition, Exakat Cloud