In PHP, what are the advantages of using numerical arrays over associative arrays in terms of speed and efficiency?

Numerical arrays are generally faster and more memory-efficient than associative arrays in PHP because they store data in a simple, contiguous block of memory. This allows for faster access and manipulation of elements in numerical arrays compared to associative arrays, which store data in key-value pairs and require additional processing to retrieve values. Therefore, when performance is a concern, it is recommended to use numerical arrays over associative arrays.

// Example of using a numerical array for better performance
$numericalArray = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];

// Accessing elements in a numerical array
echo $numericalArray[2]; // Output: 3