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PHP Language Basics

Variables

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?

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.
";

Some PHP Examples

Just like HTML, quotes are single or double:

<?PHP
echo "Mike's drums are over there.<br>";
echo 'Mike said, "hi!"<br>';
?>

You don't specify the variable type, the interpreter will automatically use a variant-type variable. To Declare, just assign:

<?PHP
$fullname = 'Mike Prestwood';
$FullName = 'Wes Peterson';
$Age = 38;
$Weight = 162.4;

//Variable within a literal.
echo "Your name is $fullname.<br>";
echo "You are $Age and weigh $Weight.<br>";

//$ within a literal ok too.
echo "That will be $1.52.<br>";
?>

 

PHP is case sensitive with variables too:

<?PHP
$fullname = 'Mike Prestwood'; //This is different...
$FullName = 'Wes Peterson';   //than this.

echo $fullname;
echo $FullName;
?>

By Reference uses "&" as in:

<?PHP
$MyOriginalVar = "Mike";
$MyNewVar = &$fullname;

echo $MyOriginalVar; //Mike
echo $MyNewVar; //Mike

$MyNewVar = "Lisa";
echo $MyOriginalVar; //Lisa (original changed!)
echo $MyNewVar; //Lisa
?>

More Info

Code:  PHP Variables ($x = 0;)




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