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The purpose of the `mysqli_fetch_array()` function is to retrieve a result row from a database query as an array. It allows the data to be returned in a variety of formats: as an associative array, a numeric array, or both, depending on the parameters provided when calling the function. By default, this function will retrieve the data in both formats, which means you can access each value using either the numerical index (such as 0, 1, 2 for the first, second, and third columns) or the associative keys (column names) that correspond to the values retrieved from the database.

This makes `mysqli_fetch_array()` particularly versatile, as it provides the ability to work with the data in the manner that is most convenient for the application you are developing. For example, if you're processing results in a loop, you can choose how you wish to access each column's value based on your needs. The function is part of the improved MySQLi extension that provides an object-oriented interface as well as a procedural interface for accessing MySQL databases.