What is PHP print() Function?
If you want to output a string or value of a variable, use print() function.
Is print() a Function?
No. print() is not a function, it is a language construct. So, you may not use the parentheses and still you get same result. See example 2.
Syntax:
print(string)
Parameters:
The Function has 1 parameter which is required-
string (Optional): It can be a string, a number, a variable, an expression that can be a value.
Return Values:
The function always returns 1.
Examples:
Example 1:
<?php
print("Hi there. ");
$greetings = "Welcome to PHP";
print($greetings);
?>
Output:
Hi there. Welcome to PHP
Example 2:
<?php
print "Hi there. ";
$greetings = "Welcome to PHP";
print $greetings;
?>
Output:
Hi there. Welcome to PHP
Example 3:
<?php
("A" === "A") ? print 'Equal' : print 'Not equal';
?>
Output:
Equal
Difference between print and echo:
- Argument: print takes only one argument, on the other hand, echo can take one or more arguments.
- Speed: print is slower than echo, as print returns a value.
- Return Value: print always returns 1, on the other hand, echo returns nothing.
- Usages in expression: print can be used in an expression as it returns value, on the other hand, echo can be used in an expression. Check example 3.
PHP Version Support:
PHP 4, PHP 5, PHP 7, PHP 8
Summary: PHP print() Function
PHP print is a language construct, not a true function, to display a string or a variable.