Identical operator and equals operator

[kdsxchris]

For designing a large php application, when it comes to speed and overall efficiency, which should be used, the identical === or equals == operator? I like the === operator, because it is type safe and I'm real careful about type safety after using Java and becoming certified in it with all of the type stuff in Java...

[Orio]

It doesn't really make a difference when it comes to speed. Just use whatever fits the situation.

 

Orio.

[taith]

both are equally as fast... and both are quite safe... but personally... i only use === when its type specific... more or less... bool... if($var!==false)... php will automatically translate int/string to see if theres a common ground if you use ==... both are just as secure :-) === will save you alot of troubles with bool tho :-)

[papaface]

Well they're two different things...

== is to match the value regardless of its type.

=== matches the type aswell as the value.

 

 

Basically

If you wanted to match the types:

$num = 1;
if ($num === "1")
{
//$num is a string with the value 1
}

but if you just want to match values:

$num = 1;
if ($num == "1")
{
//it doesnt matter if it is a string or not, as long as it is 1
}

 

So as Orio said, use what ever fits the situation

[Barand]

It matters in cases like strpos

 

<?php
$str = 'abc';

$p1 = strpos ($str, 'a');

if ($p1 != false) 
    echo "Found";
else
    echo "Not found";
?>

 

The above gives "Not found" since 'a' is at position 0, whereas

 

<?php
$str = 'abc';

$p1 = strpos ($str, 'a');

if ($p1 !== false) 
    echo "Found";
else
    echo "Not found";
?>

 

correctly gives "Found"