validation - check for empty value in php -

i checking value see if empty using empty() function in php. validates following empty:

"" (an empty string) 0 (0 integer) 0.0 (0 float) "0" (0 string) null false array() (an empty array) $var; (a variable declared, without value) 

the value passing can string, array or number. if string has space (" ") not considered empty. easiest way check condition without creating own function? cannot empty(trim($value)) since $value can array.

edit: not trying ask how check if string empty. know that. asking if there way can pass array, number or string empty() , return correct validation if string passed has empty spaces in them.

the best way create own function, if have reason not can use this:

$original_string_or_array = array(); // variable want check $trimed_string_or_array = is_array($original_string_or_array) ? $original_string_or_array : trim($original_string_or_array); if(empty($trimed_string_or_array)) {     echo 'the variable empty'; } else {     echo 'the variable not empty'; }