Output Functions in PHP

Output functions are used to display data on the browser.

1. echo

• Most commonly used
• Faster than print
• Can display multiple values

<?php
echo "Hello World";
?>

2. print

• Similar to echo
• Returns value (1)
• Slightly slower

<?php
print "Welcome to PHP";
?>

Difference Between echo and print

Exam Tip: echo is preferred for output because it is faster.

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Datatypes in PHP

A datatype defines what type of data a variable can store.

PHP Supports 8 Main Datatypes

1. Integer: Stores whole numbers.

    $x = 10;

1. Float (Double): Stores decimal values.

    $price = 99.99;

1. String: Stores text.

    $name = "PHP";

1. Boolean: Stores true or false.

    $isActive = true;

1. Array: Stores multiple values in one variable.

    $colors = array("Red", "Green", "Blue");

1. Object: Stores class instances.

    class Test {}
    $obj = new Test();

1. NULL: Represents no value.

    $x = NULL;

1. Resource: Stores external resources like database connections.

Exam Point: PHP is a loosely typed language.

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Type Casting in PHP

Type casting is used to convert a variable from one data type to another.

Syntax

(type) $variable;

Common Casts

• (int) - Cast to Integer
• (bool) - Cast to Boolean
• (float) - Cast to Float
• (string) - Cast to String
• (array) - Cast to Array

Example: Integer to Float Conversion

<?php
$x = 10;
$f = (float)$x;

echo "Value: " . $f; // Outputs: 10
echo "\n";
var_dump($f);        // Outputs: float(10)
?>

Why does echo show 10 instead of 10.0? PHP's echo statement converts numbers to strings for display. If a float has no fractional part (like 10.0), echo displays it as 10 to keep it clean. To verify the type, always use var_dump().