When do you use self:: as opposed to $this->?

[linstefoo]

This is a total newbie question but when do you use "self::" and when do you use "$this->" in a php class? They appear to do the same thing so is it just preference?

 

For example I have this code:

<?php
class Database
{
protected $info = array('server' => 'localhost', 'username' => 'root', 'password' => '', 'database' => 'apart_sql');
private $conn;
public $errors = array();

public function __construct()
{
	$this->connect(self::info['server'], self::info['usernamne'], self::info['password'], self::info['database']);
}
?>

 

Would I use "$this->" instead of "self::"? This is sort of a interesting to me.

 

Thanks,

Steve

[Mchl]

Use self to access static methods and properties

 

In your example you should use $this->

[lanmonkey]

It also allows you access to constand and overridden members/methods

 

also allows access to methods in uninstantiated objects. thats is a class that has been defined but not instantiated into an object.