String split and explode in PHP - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

What is the output of this PHP code using explode()?

Consider the following PHP code snippet. What will be the output when it runs?

PHP

<?php
$str = "apple,banana,cherry";
$result = explode(",", $str);
print_r($result);
?>

A Array ( [0] => apple [1] => banana [2] => cherry )

B apple,banana,cherry

C Array ( [0] => apple,banana,cherry )

D Error: explode() expects parameter 2 to be string

💡 Hint

explode() splits a string into an array using the delimiter.

The explode function splits the string at each comma, creating an array with three elements: 'apple', 'banana', and 'cherry'.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

What does this PHP code output when splitting with limit?

What will be the output of this PHP code?

PHP

<?php
$str = "one,two,three,four";
$result = explode(",", $str, 3);
print_r($result);
?>

A Array ( [0] => one [1] => two [2] => three [3] => four )

B Array ( [0] => one [1] => two [2] => three,four )

C Array ( [0] => one,two,three,four )

D Array ( [0] => one [1] => two [2] => three )

💡 Hint

The third parameter limits the number of pieces returned.

With limit=3, explode splits into maximum 3 parts. The last part contains the rest of the string.

🔧 Debug

advanced

What error does this PHP code raise?

What error will this PHP code produce when run?

PHP

<?php
$str = "a|b|c";
$result = explode('|');
print_r($result);
?>

A Warning: explode() expects 2 parameters, 1 given

B NULL

C Fatal error: Uncaught ArgumentCountError

D Array ( [0] => a [1] => b [2] => c )

💡 Hint

explode() needs both delimiter and string parameters.

explode() requires two parameters: the delimiter and the string to split. Missing the second causes a warning.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

What is the output of this PHP code using str_split()?

What will this PHP code output?

PHP

<?php
$str = "hello";
$result = str_split($str, 2);
print_r($result);
?>

A Error: str_split() expects parameter 2 to be integer

B Array ( [0] => h [1] => e [2] => l [3] => l [4] => o )

C Array ( [0] => he [1] => ll [2] => o )

D Array ( [0] => hel [1] => lo )

💡 Hint

str_split splits string into chunks of given length.

str_split with chunk length 2 splits 'hello' into 'he', 'll', and 'o'.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

How many elements are in the array after this explode() call?

Given the code below, how many elements does the resulting array have?

PHP

<?php
$str = "one,,three,,five";
$result = explode(",", $str);
?>

A 6

B 3

C 4

D 5

💡 Hint

explode() includes empty strings between consecutive delimiters.

The string has 4 commas, so explode creates 5 elements, including empty strings for empty parts.