PHP Index: Find PHP Functions

Can't remember the argument order of a function: string first, or array? Opening a browser, finding the docs, and scrolling the page is not always what you want. PHP Index searches PHP functions right inside Telegram. 🐘

The bot is small and does one job: it helps you find the function you need quickly. For a developer, that shortens the path from question to answer.

One task, nothing extra

The bot's description is short: search PHP functions and find them fast. There is no signup and no settings. Launch it with /start, type what you are looking for, and read the result.

If something is unclear, the /help command shows how the bot works.

When a quick reference saves you

• From a phone. You need to recall a function on the road and your laptop is far away.
• Mid-conversation. You discuss a task in a chat and want to check a function name fast.
• In an interview or while studying. You review built-in functions and verify the names.
• After switching languages. You write in another language and forgot what it is called in PHP.

Why PHP names are so easy to mix up

PHP has a large standard library, and it grew over many years. That explains some famous quirks: string and array functions follow different naming styles, and the argument order differs in places. For example, in string search and array search the "needle" and the "haystack" swap positions.

There is no shame in forgetting this difference. A good search saves time and cuts silly mistakes. 🔎

Searching effectively

1. Type part of the name. If you only remember a root like "array" or "str", start with it.
2. Think in verbs. The action you want suggests the word: sort, merge, replace, split.
3. Match the version. Some functions are new or marked deprecated. Check which PHP version you run.
4. Read the examples. Before you use a function, check what it returns in odd cases: an empty string, zero, false.

A mini cheat sheet by example

A classic case: in_array takes the value you are looking for first, then the array. strpos takes the string first, then the fragment to find. Two similar tasks, two different orders.

Another trap: strpos can return zero when the fragment sits at the very start of the string. That is why the result is compared strictly, with type, or else zero gets mistaken for "not found".

What the bot will not replace

Quick search does not cancel reading the official documentation. It has version notes, examples, and descriptions of edge-case behavior. The bot is a good first step when you only need to recall a name.

For serious decisions, check the details in the documentation for your version of the language and test your code on real data.

The author and other projects

An independent developer made the bot, as the profile shows. Small utilities like this usually run on the author's enthusiasm, so do not expect round-the-clock support or complex settings.

If the bot helps you, tell colleagues who write PHP about it. 👨‍💻