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<array_walk_recursiveasort>
^Array FunctionsLast updated: Mon, 26 Oct 2026

arsort

(PHP 4, PHP 5, PHP 7, PHP 8)

arsort — Sort an array in descending order and maintain index association

Description

function arsort(array &$array, int $flags = SORT_REGULAR): true

Sorts array in place in descending order, such that its keys maintain their correlation with the values they are associated with.

This is used mainly when sorting associative arrays where the actual element order is significant.

Note:

If two members compare as equal, they retain their original order. Prior to PHP 8.0.0, their relative order in the sorted array was undefined.

Note:

Resets array's internal pointer to the first element.

Parameters

array

The input array.

flags

The optional second parameter flags may be used to modify the sorting behavior using these values:

Sorting type flags:

Return Values

Always returns true.

Changelog

Version Description
8.2.0 The return type is true now; previously, it was bool.

Examples

Example #1 arsort() example

<?php
$fruits = array("d" => "lemon", "a" => "orange", "b" => "banana", "c" => "apple");
arsort($fruits);
foreach ($fruits as $key => $val) {
    echo "$key = $val\n";
}
?>

The above example will output:

a = orange
d = lemon
b = banana
c = apple

The fruits have been sorted in reverse alphabetical order, and the index associated with each element has been maintained.

See Also


<array_walk_recursiveasort>
^Array FunctionsLast updated: Mon, 26 Oct 2026