reset external pointer in array

[Anon]

Does anyone know how to reset the external pointer (the number that is
used as keys in a number keyed array i.e. '2' in $myarray[2]) after
unset is called on an element in the array?
If you don't know what I'm talking about, do this:

$test = array('one', 'two', 'three');
print_r($test);
unset($test[2]);
$test[] = 'four';
print_r($test);

notice that the last element is $test[3]? I want it to be 2. This
seems to be normal albeit somewhat undocumented behaviour. I think
it's just annoying.
I can add new elements with $test[sizeof($test)] = .... but I'd
rather just find a better way to truly delete array elements. Any
takers?

[Anon]

ADDENDUM:

This is getting weirder and weider.

I was wondering what would happen if I duplicated the array. Well the new array works fine. So I think, heck, I'll just unset, duplicate and copy back and I'll have me a nice function to really unset array members. WRONG! watch this:

TRY #1:
$test = array('one', 'two', 'three');
print_r($test);
unset($test[2]);
$test_ref = $test;
$test[] = 'four';
print_r($test);
// now it works just because I copied it. Noticed I did not have to copy it back!

So I think, well cool, I'll just unset $test_ref to clean up and I'll be set. WRONG!

TRY#2:
$test = array('one', 'two', 'three');
print_r($test);
unset($test[2]);
$test_ref = $test;
unset($test_ref);
$test[] = 'four';
print_r($test);

// On my setup, it's now back to the original problem. What does the existence of $test_ref have to do with $test? It's not a reference. Shouldn't it be an independent duplicate copy???

[whizkid]

Hi,

try this:

function reset_array($array) {
$a = array();
while(list(, $value) = each ($array)) {
$a[] = $value;
}
return $a;
}

$test = array('one', 'two', 'three');
print_r($test);
unset($test[2]);
$test = reset_array($test);
$test[] = 'four';
print_r($test);

firemouse2001