Using list() with each(), why does this

[Anon]

I was told that list() can't be passed an associative array, and that each() returns an associative array. It this is true why does this work:

$cgi = $HTTP_GET_VARS;
reset($cgi);
list($key, $value) = each ($cgi);

[[deleted]]

Whoever told you that must have been drinking.

from the manual:
http://www.php.net/manual/en/function.each.php

echo "Values submitted via POST method:<br>";
reset ($HTTP_POST_VARS);
while (list ($key, $val) = each ($HTTP_POST_VARS)) {
echo "$key => $val<br>";
}

the only difference between a 'normal' array and an associative array is that associative array can also have alphanumeric keys. Nothing more.

[Anon]

So what does the array that each returns look like if you were to write it in array("x", "y", "z") form. Can you give me an example, I'm trying to visualize the assignment of each to list when the array is associative. I don't have a problem conceptually with how each element of the array gets mapped in this statement: list($first, $second, $thrid) = array('1st', '2nd', '3rd');

but list($first, $second, $third) = array('first'=>'1st','second'=>'2nd', 'third'=>'3rd') is troubling me since I see six elements on the right mapping to three on the left can you help me see the light. Thanks.

P.S. I'm assuming that the funcion each() returns an associative array similar to the one up top.