What are the advantages of using predefined arrays or formats for storing holiday dates in PHP scripts, and how can this approach simplify holiday calculations?
Using predefined arrays or formats for storing holiday dates in PHP scripts can simplify holiday calculations by providing a centralized and easily accessible source of holiday dates. This approach eliminates the need to hardcode holiday dates throughout the script, making it easier to update and maintain holiday-related logic. Additionally, predefined arrays allow for efficient comparison and manipulation of holiday dates within the script.
// Define an array of holiday dates
$holidays = [
'New Year' => '2022-01-01',
'Christmas' => '2022-12-25',
// Add more holiday dates as needed
];
// Check if a given date is a holiday
$dateToCheck = '2022-01-01';
if (in_array($dateToCheck, $holidays)) {
echo 'The date is a holiday!';
} else {
echo 'The date is not a holiday.';
}