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PHP 5 Variables: Example 1

Variables in PHP are declared with a $ sign followed by the name. Variables can store different data types and PHP automatically converts types. Variables can have global or local scope. Globals are accessible everywhere while locals are only accessible within their function. The global keyword makes a local variable reference a global, and $GLOBALS array can also access globals from within functions. Static variables allow a local variable to retain its value between function calls.

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58 views

PHP 5 Variables: Example 1

Variables in PHP are declared with a $ sign followed by the name. Variables can store different data types and PHP automatically converts types. Variables can have global or local scope. Globals are accessible everywhere while locals are only accessible within their function. The global keyword makes a local variable reference a global, and $GLOBALS array can also access globals from within functions. Static variables allow a local variable to retain its value between function calls.

Uploaded by

sauravnaruka
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PHP 5 Variables

Variables are "containers" for storing information. In PHP, a variable starts with the $ sign,
followed by the name of the variable:

Example 1:
<?php
$txt = "Hello world!";
$x = 5;
$y = 10.5;
?>

Rules for PHP variables:

A variable starts with the $ sign, followed by the name of the variable

A variable name must start with a letter or the underscore character

A variable name cannot start with a number

A variable name can only contain alpha-numeric characters and underscores (A-z,
0-9, and _ )

Variable names are case-sensitive ($age and $AGE are two different variables)

Example 2:
<?php
$txt = "W3Schools.com";
echo "I love $txt!";
?>

Example 3:
<?php
$txt = "W3Schools.com";
echo "I love " . $txt . "!";
?>

Example 4:
<?php
$x = 5;
$y = 4;
echo $x + $y;
?>

PHP is a Loosely Typed Language


We did not have to tell PHP which data type the variable is. PHP automatically
converts the variable to the correct data type, depending on its value. In other languages
such as C, C++, and Java, the programmer must declare the name and type of the
variable before using it.

PHP Variables Scope


In PHP, variables can be declared anywhere in the script.
The scope of a variable is the part of the script where the variable can be
referenced/used.
PHP has three different variable scopes:

local

global

static

Global and Local Scope


A variable declared outside a function has a GLOBAL SCOPE and can only be accessed
outside a function:
Example 5:
<?php
$x = 5; // global scope
function myTest() {
// using x inside this function will generate an error
echo "<p>Variable x inside function is: $x</p>";
}
myTest();
echo "<p>Variable x outside function is: $x</p>";
?>

A variable declared within a function has a LOCAL SCOPE and can only be accessed
within that function:
Example 6:
<?php
function myTest() {

$x = 5; // local scope
echo "<p>Variable x inside function is: $x</p>";
}
myTest();
// using x outside the function will generate an error
echo "<p>Variable x outside function is: $x</p>";
?>

PHP The global Keyword


The global keyword is used to access a global variable from within a function.
To do this, use the global keyword before the variables (inside the function):
Example 7:
<?php
$x = 5;
$y = 10;
function myTest() {
global $x, $y;
$y = $x + $y;
}
myTest();
echo $y; // outputs 15
?>

PHP also stores all global variables in an array called $GLOBALS[index].


The index holds the name of the variable. This array is also accessible from within
functions and can be used to update global variables directly.
The example above can be rewritten like this:
Example 8:
<?php
$x = 5;
$y = 10;
function myTest() {
$GLOBALS['y'] = $GLOBALS['x'] + $GLOBALS['y'];
}
myTest();

echo $y; // outputs 15


?>

PHP The static Keyword


Normally, when a function is completed/executed, all of its variables are deleted.
However, sometimes we want a local variable NOT to be deleted. We need it for a further
job.
To do this, use the static keyword when you first declare the variable:
Example 9:
<?php
function myTest() {
static $x = 0;
echo $x;
$x++;
}
myTest();
myTest();
myTest();
?>

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