Which is best?

[Lineman]

Ok, here's a real n00b question for you all. I hope you don't mind!

 

Have been practicing with variables and have come across two different ways to call them.  For instance, if i was to create a variable called numbers and the give it a value of.....736 for example,  see the code below:

 

<?php

$numbers = 736;
print ($numbers);
print "<br><br>";
print "$numbers";

?>

 

The two different methods above of calling the variable would both output: 736 but which is considered the best method? Thanks!

[craygo]

The parenthesis are usually used for multiple things like math equations

 

print (5+6)*2; // output = 22

 

So you can use them or not use them depending on your preference, but if you are only outputting one thing them the less typing you have to to the better.

 

also variables don't have to be in quotes

 

print $numbers;

 

Ray

[Lineman]

Just a matter of curiousity on my part and a desire to learn but big thanks for enlightening a n00b. Cheers Craygo

[wildteen88]

When echo'ing/print'ing variable you do not need to use quotes or parentheses. Either of the following is fine:

<?php

echo $var; // no need to use quotes when echo'ing a variable on its own

echo "<b>$var</b>"; // variables are parsed in strings which start with double quotes.

echo '<b>'. $var . '</b>'; // variables are not parsed in strings which start with single quotes. Instead you can use concatenation.

?>

 

NOTE: echo and print are the same. print was derived from Perl

[GingerRobot]

NOTE: echo and print are the same. print was derived from Perl

 

Not quite - print returns a value(1), echo does not. Echo can take multiple parameters, print can not.

 

I know im splitting hairs, but i only found this out today

[craygo]

To elaborate on wildteen there is a difference between using single quotes and double quotes. Single quotes treat everything inside exactly as they are. So

 

$name = "Ray";
echo 'My name is $name';  // will output My name is $name
echo "My name is $name";  // will output My name is Ray

 

Also double quotes allows you to use brackets for array pieces and special codes like a line break so your source code is not all on the same line

 

$r['name'] = "Ray";
echo "My name is {$r['name']}<br>\n";
echo "Hello $name";

 

when you view your source code now it will look like

 

My name is Ray<br>
Hello Ray

 

instead of

My Name is Ray<br>Hello Ray