how does php determine what if an else applies to?

[Hailwood]

hey guys

 

 

if i have

if($a==$b)
if($c==$d)
return true;
else
return false;

(nb: the lack of indentation is intentional)

 

 

so my question is how does php know if the else applies to if($a==$b) or if($c==$d)

[PFMaBiSmAd]

The else goes with the previous if() that is at the same 'nested' statement level.

 

For what you posted, the else is at the same statement level as the if($c==$d).

 

To force the the else in the code you posted to go with the if($a==$b) test, you need to enclose the $c==$d logic inside of {} so that it becomes a single statement that is part of the if($a==$b) test -

if($a==$b){
if($c==$d)
return true;}
else
return false;