what does -> mean?

[your_twin]

If i have this line of code:

[color=red]$params->def( 'scrolling', 'auto' );[/color]

i understand that
       
            -[b]$params[/b] is a variable

            -[b]def()[/b] is a function of some sort

            -what does the [b]->[/b] operator do or mean?  ???

i assume its an operator but i cant find it in the php manual @ php.net

[JasonLewis]

i cant give you the best definition but here it goes:

$params is a class. and the def() is a function inside of that class. This is called OOP (object orientated programming). To call a function inside of a class you must use the ->

I think thats it, just look up OOP somewhere to learn more.

[kiss-o-matic]

def is a member function of a class.  -> is what access that member function. 
As ProjectFear said, this is what you find in OOP across the board.  Just think of it as "calling the def() function on the $param variable".