explode string into variables

Since PHP 7.1 there is a new feature called

Symmetric array destructuring: The shorthand array syntax ([]) may now be used to destructure arrays for assignments (including within foreach), as an alternative to the existing list() syntax, which is still supported.

That means that you can do now:

[$one, $two] = explode(";", "one;two");
echo $one; // one
echo $two; // two

As an alternative to list(), I find it myself a very elegant and readable solution that arrived with 7.1+ ... it is the same, but better.

Note: As the quote indicates, you can use the shorthand array syntax ([]) to assign variables in foreach declarations, but that's not related to the question, so check it out!

Documentation: https://www.php.net/manual/en/migration71.new-features.php

PHP's language construct list() can perform multiple assignments to variables (or even other array keys) by assigning an array.

list($min, $max) = explode(",", "3,20");

However, you would still need to apply a trim() to your variables since the $max value would have a leading space, or replace explode() with preg_split('/\s*,\s*/', $string) to split it on commas and surrounding whitespace.

Note: Use caution with list() to be sure that the array you're assigning contains the same number of elements as list() has variables.

In PHP 5.x, when assigning a value directly to another array, as an element of that array, list() values are assigned from right to left in PHP 5.x, not left to right. In other words, you'll end up with array that is populated backwards (last value, first).

https://www.php.net/manual/en/migration70.incompatible.php

In PHP 7.x list() arguments are assigned from left to right, when assigning elements directly to an array. In other words, you'll end up with the first value as the first element in the recipient array.

<?php
    list($a[], $a[], $a[]) = [1, 2, 3];
    var_dump($a);
?>

PHP Manual

PHP 5.X Last value gets the first element position, but the recipient must an array (in this case $a, is the array)!

array(3) {
  [0]=>
  int(3)
  [1]=>
  int(2)
  [2]=>
  int(1)
}

PHP 7.x First value becomes the first array element.

array(3) {
  [0]=>
  int(1)
  [1]=>
  int(2)
  [2]=>
  int(3)
}

PHP Manual