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Variables (Perl and PHP Cross Reference Guide)

By Mike Prestwood

Perl versus PHP: A side by side comparison between Perl and PHP.

Language Basics

Language basics is kind of a catch all for absolute beginner stuff. The items (common names) I chose for language basics is a bit random and include items like case sensitivity, commenting, declaring variables, etc.

Variables

[Other Languages]

Languages Focus

A variable holds a value that you can use and change throughout your code so long as the variable is within scope. With variable declaration, you not only want to know the syntax of how you declare a variable but you also want to know where. Are you allowed to declare a variable inline? What are the available scopes: local vs. global. Can you assign a value at the same time you declare a variable?

Perl: $x = 0;

Perl is a loosely typed language with only three types of variables: scalars, arrays, and hashes. Use $ for a scalar variable, @ for an array, or % for a hash (an associative array).

The scalar variable type is used for any type of simple data such as strings, integers, and numbers. In Perl, you identify and use a variable with a $ even within strings.

Syntax Example:

#!/usr/local/bin/perl -w

 
print("Content-type: text/html\n\n");

$fullname = 'Mike Prestwood';
$Age = 38;
$Weight = 162.4;

 

print "Your name is $fullname.
";
print "You are $Age and weigh $Weight.
";

Perl Variables ($x = 0;)

PHP: $x = 0;

PHP is a loosely typed language. No variable types in PHP. Declaring and using variables are a bit different than in other languages. In PHP, you identify and use a variable with a $ even within strings!

You assign by reference with & as in &$MyVar.

Syntax Example:

$fullname = 'Mike Prestwood';
$FullName = 'Wes Peterson';   //This is a different variable!
$Age = 38;
$Weight = 162.4;

 

echo "Your name is $fullname.
";
echo "You are $Age and weigh $Weight.
";

PHP Variables ($x = 0;)