PHP Operators

PHP Operators Explained | Types of Operators in PHP with Examples

In PHP, operators are essential tools that allow developers to perform calculations, make comparisons, manipulate strings, and control program flow. Every PHP script uses operators in some way, making them a vital concept to master for efficient coding.

This complete guide explains types of PHP operators with examples, helping you understand their behavior and application in real projects.

What Are PHP Operators and How They Work in Programming?

Operators in PHP are symbols or keywords that tell the interpreter to perform a specific operation. These operations may involve numbers, strings, or variables.

Example:

<?php
$x = 10;
$y = 5;
echo $x + $y; // Output: 15
?>

Here, the + sign is an arithmetic operator used to add two values.

Arithmetic Operators in PHP with Syntax and Examples

Arithmetic operators are used for mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Example:

<?php
$a = 8;
$b = 2;
echo $a ** $b; // Output: 64
?>

PHP Assignment Operators Explained with Examples

Assignment operators are used to assign or modify variable values. The = operator is basic, but PHP supports compound assignments for concise code.

Example:

<?php
$total = 100;
$total += 50;
echo $total; // Output: 150
?>

Comparison Operators in PHP for Conditional Statements

Comparison operators are used to compare two values and return true or false depending on the result.

Example:

<?php
$a = 5;
$b = 10;
var_dump($a <=> $b); // Output: int(-1)
?>

PHP Logical Operators with Examples for Conditional Expressions

Logical operators combine multiple conditions to control program flow.

Example:

<?php
$isAdmin = true;
$isLoggedIn = true;
if ($isAdmin && $isLoggedIn) {
    echo "Access granted!";
}
?>

String Concatenation Operators in PHP with Examples

String operators are used to join or append strings.

Example:

<?php
$text = "PHP ";
$text .= "Operators";
echo $text; // Output: PHP Operators
?>

PHP Increment and Decrement Operators Examples

Used to increase or decrease variable values by one.

Example:

<?php
$num = 5;
echo ++$num; // Output: 6
?>

Array Operators in PHP for Comparing and Merging Arrays

Array operators compare and combine arrays.

Example:

<?php
$a = ["a" => "red", "b" => "green"];
$b = ["c" => "blue"];
$result = $a + $b;
print_r($result);
?>

Operator Precedence and Associativity in PHP

Operator precedence determines the order of execution when multiple operators are used. Associativity defines the direction (left-to-right or right-to-left).

Example:

<?php
echo 5 + 3 * 2; // Output: 11
?>

Multiplication is executed before addition because it has higher precedence.

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👉 Deep dive into PHP Conditional Statements to use operators in logic.
👉 Learn about PHP Variables and how they interact with operators.
👉 Explore more in PHP Tutorials for Beginners to build your programming foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)