${(A)…}: Convert substitution into array expression

Converts the substitution of the value into an array expression, regardless of the name of the variable.

Field splitting, e.g. ${(A)=name}, is helpful for scalar values of name.

If AA, then the substitution is interpreted as an associative array.

Links

• Zsh manual on parameter expansion flags

Examples

Convert a list of key-value pairs into an associative array

1 2 3 4 5 6

key_value_list="a 1 b 2 c 3" unset myArray # 1st '=' splits key_value_list into separate words, # 2nd '=' declares and assigns to associative array 'myArray' : ${(AA)=myArray=$key_value_list} typeset -p myArray

Output:

1	typeset -A myArray=( [a]=1 [b]=2 [c]=3 )