- var_dump: documentation ( source)
<?php
// the unroll:
$arr = array(1 => 'one', 2 => 'two', 3 => 'three');
$a = &$arr[1]; // first iteration
var_dump($a,$arr);
$a = &$arr[2];
var_dump($a,$arr);
$a = &$arr[3];
var_dump($a,$arr);
// 2nd unroll : following up with another foreach -- $a is still a reference for $arr[3]
$a = $arr[1];
$a = $arr[2];
$a = $arr[3];
var_dump($a,$arr);