The scope resolution operator

The second complicated operator is known as the scope resolution operator, and is :: - two colons next to each other. It is used in object-oriented programming when you want to be specific about what kind of function you are calling. For example, if you have a function sayhello() as well as a sayhello() function of a Person object, you would use Person::sayhello() - you resolve which sayhello() you mean by using the class name and the scope resolution operator.

The most common use for scope resolution is with the pseudo-class "parent". For example, if you want a child object to call its parent's __construct() function, you would use parent::__construct().

Scope resolution is complicated, and not used all that often, however it is important you know about it. Furthermore, there's no need to understand it fully at this point - it is explained in full in the Objects chapter.

Author's Note: Bit of trivia for you here. Internally to PHP, the scope resolution operator is called "paamayim nekudotayim", which is Hebrew for "double colon".

 

Want to learn PHP 7?

Hacking with PHP has been fully updated for PHP 7, and is now available as a downloadable PDF. Get over 1200 pages of hands-on PHP learning today!

If this was helpful, please take a moment to tell others about Hacking with PHP by tweeting about it!

Next chapter: The execution operator >>

Previous chapter: The Ternary Operator

Jump to:

 

Home: Table of Contents

Copyright ©2015 Paul Hudson. Follow me: @twostraws.