function array_shift( array ) {	// Shift an element off the beginning of array
	// 
	// +   original by: Kevin van Zonneveld (http://kevin.vanzonneveld.net)

	var i=0, first_elm=null, cnt=0, tmp_arr = {};

	// input sanitation
	if( !array || (array.constructor !== Array && array.constructor !== Object) || !array.length ){
		return null;
	}

	if( array.constructor === Array ){
		first_elm = array[0];
		for( i = 0; i < array.length; i++ ){
			array[i] = array[i+1];
		}
		array.length--;
	} else if( array.constructor === Object ){
		for(var key in array){
			if( cnt == 0 ){
				first_elm = array[key];
			} else{
				tmp_arr[key] = array[key];
			}
			cnt ++;
		}
		array = tmp_arr;
	}

	return first_elm;
}