I want to access a variable within a function-returned array without setting the array to a variable first. Example -- test for equal to string 'foo' on the 4th element of a returned fetch row: if (($row = mysql_fetch_row($result))[3] == 'foo') { $user = $row; } or $bar = explode('#', $str)[2]; I know I can do this in perl, but can it be done in PHP? Obviously this is pseudo code, it doesn't actually work, but I wonder if there is a way that escapes me currently? I know I can assign the result to a variable and then test the element; I am addicted to trying to cut down the amount and complexity of code. Even if you disagree with my goal as good computing practices, I simply want to know if what I ask is possible, and if so, how. :-) Beckman --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peter Beckman Internet Guy beckman@xxxxxxxxxxxxx http://www.purplecow.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- PHP Database Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php