2.4. Constants

Constants are similar to variables, but they may be set only once. Some of them are created automatically by PHP; others you will create with the define function discussed in Chapter 11. You do not use the dollar-sign operator to get the value of a constant, and you may never use a constant on the left side of an assignment operator.

Although it is not necessary, it is customary to name constants exclusively with capital letters. This helps make them stand out in your script, as in Listing 2.8. PHP creates many constants upon startup, as described in Chapter 8.

Listing 2.8. Using a constant
<?php
    define("STANDARD_GREETING", "Hello, World!");
    print(STANDARD_GREETING);
?>

Get Core PHP Programming, Third Edition now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.