PHP: get access for array via dot notation

getByDotNotation.php

<?php

/**
 * Get access to array via dot notation, for example:
 * 'user.names.first'
 * @param array $array Source array
 * @param string $path Path in dot notation
 */
function getByDotNotation($array, $path) {
    foreach (explode('.', $path) as $part) {
        if (! isset($array[$part]))
            return null;

        $array = $array[$part];
    }
    return $array;
}