When to use standard functions versus spl methods?

[NotionCommotion]

Let's say I just wanted to get the file extension from a path.  I could use either http://php.net/manual/en/function.pathinfo.php or http://php.net/manual/en/splfileinfo.getextension.php.

 

For this specific requirement, which one should I use.  Generically, why would one chose one approach over the other?

[Jacques1]

The former is procedural, the latter is object-oriented. Choose whatever suits your application and personal preferences. Functionally, they're equivalent, which is why the manual always mentions both approaches.

 

If you already rely heavily on object-orientation, it makes sense to go all the way. Otherwise use the classical PHP functions.