<?php
// Set everything up
$testArray = array(
'a' => array(),
'b' => array()
);
$saved = array();
$ref =& $testArray['b'];
// Set a value via the reference
$ref = array(1);
// Save the current array state
$saved[] = $testArray; // This shouldn't be a reference, right?
// Set another value via the reference
$ref = array(2);
// Save the current array state
$saved[] = $testArray; // This shouldn't be a reference, right?
var_dump($saved);