PHP comes out a function of var_export that returns structured information about any variable. Whatever the variable is that is defined with var_export() comes up with structured information. The returned value of this function is a valid PHP code. This makes var_export a unique function from its defined function var_dump(). This var_export function of PHP came after the PHP 4 stable release version of PHP. The function only returns the value as the structured information of any variable.
Start Your Free Software Development Course
Web development, programming languages, Software testing & others
Syntax of PHP var_export()
Given below is the syntax of PHP var_export():
var_export(variable, return)
- variable: The variable we want to export.
- return: Optional parameter, if used, returns the variable representation.
A variable is a required parameter with String as the Data Type for that. Where as the return is the optional parameter as the Boolean Data Type.
Example:
<!DOCTYPE html> <html> <body> <?php $a = 3; echo var_export($a, true) . "<br>"; echo var_export($a) . "<br>"; ?> </body> </html>
Output:
Working of var_export() Function
- The var_export() function takes up the input as the variable whose structured definition is to be checked. The return value depends on the return parameter (the optional one that is used and set to true).
- If that is not done, the function will return null. When the return parameter is used, it uses the internal output buffering methodology that basically tells PHP to hold some data before it is sent to the browser. Having this, we can retrieve the data and manipulate it if needed to avoid the use of the call back function.
- A valid PHP code with structured information about the variable is returned with this function.
Examples of PHP var_export()
Using PHP with basic Data Types as the example:
Example #1: Integer
This takes up Integer as the input as results the structured information about the variable as Integer.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html> <html> <body> <?php $a = 320; echo var_export($a) . "<br>"; $a = 2; echo var_export($a) . "<br>"; $a = -32; echo var_export($a) . "<br>"; $a = 3200; echo var_export($a) . "<br>"; ?> </body> </html>
Output:
Example #2: String
This takes up String as the input as result the structured information about the variable as String.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html> <html> <body> <?php $b = "PHP Example!!"; echo var_export($b) . "<br>"; $b = "I am String"; echo var_export($b) . "<br>"; ?> </body> </html>
Output:
Example #3: Double
This takes up Double/Decimal as the input as results the structured information about the variable as Double.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html> <html> <body> <?php $a = 322.5; echo var_export($a) . "<br>"; $a = 22.51; echo var_export($a) . "<br>"; ?> </body> </html>
Output:
Example #4: Array
This takes up Array as the input as results the structured information about the variable as Array.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
<?php
$a = array("reddish", "yellowish", "Greenish");
echo var_export($a) . "<br>";
$a = array("Apple", "Grapes", "Mango");
echo var_export($a) . "<br>";
?>
</body>
</html>
Output:
Example #5: Array of Array
This takes up Array of Array as the input as results the structured information about the variable as Array.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
<?php
$a = array("abc", "Hello PHP!", 222.4, array("reddish", "yellowish", "Greenish"));
echo var_export($a) . "<br>";
$a = array(34, "Hello", array("Apple", "Grapes", "3"));
echo var_export($a) . "<br>";
?>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can even set an object and map it with a variable. Calling that particular in var_export function will give the state of an object.
Let us check that with an example :
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html> <html> <body> <?php $person = new stdClass; $person->name = 'John Anand'; $person->website = 'https://php.net/John.php'; echo var_export($person); ?> </body> </html>
Output:
We can also define a class in PHP and use the var_export function that sets the state of the class variable.
Let us check that with an example :
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
<?php
class A { public $var; }
$a = new A;
$a->var = 50;
var_export($a);
echo var_export(a);
?>
</body>
</html>
Output:
Short Note
There are some points that need to be noted for the PHP var export function:
- This VarExport Function does not export type Resource Variables.
- The Circular references are also not handled by the VarExport function as the parsable PHP codes are not generated for circular references.
- The processed object implements the _set_state method except for the stdClass, which is exported using an array that is casted with an object.
Conclusion
From the above article, we saw the use of Function var_export in PHP. We tried to see how the var_export() function works in PHP and what are is use at the programming level from various example and classification. We also saw the internal working and the advantages of having the type of data we define for various programming purposes. Also, the syntax and examples helped us to understand much precisely over the function.
The above is the detailed content of PHP var_export(). For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!
Hot AI Tools
Undress AI Tool
Undress images for free
Undresser.AI Undress
AI-powered app for creating realistic nude photos
AI Clothes Remover
Online AI tool for removing clothes from photos.
Clothoff.io
AI clothes remover
Video Face Swap
Swap faces in any video effortlessly with our completely free AI face swap tool!
Hot Article
Hot Tools
Notepad++7.3.1
Easy-to-use and free code editor
SublimeText3 Chinese version
Chinese version, very easy to use
Zend Studio 13.0.1
Powerful PHP integrated development environment
Dreamweaver CS6
Visual web development tools
SublimeText3 Mac version
God-level code editing software (SublimeText3)
PHP calls AI intelligent voice assistant PHP voice interaction system construction
Jul 25, 2025 pm 08:45 PM
User voice input is captured and sent to the PHP backend through the MediaRecorder API of the front-end JavaScript; 2. PHP saves the audio as a temporary file and calls STTAPI (such as Google or Baidu voice recognition) to convert it into text; 3. PHP sends the text to an AI service (such as OpenAIGPT) to obtain intelligent reply; 4. PHP then calls TTSAPI (such as Baidu or Google voice synthesis) to convert the reply to a voice file; 5. PHP streams the voice file back to the front-end to play, completing interaction. The entire process is dominated by PHP to ensure seamless connection between all links.
How to use PHP to build social sharing functions PHP sharing interface integration practice
Jul 25, 2025 pm 08:51 PM
The core method of building social sharing functions in PHP is to dynamically generate sharing links that meet the requirements of each platform. 1. First get the current page or specified URL and article information; 2. Use urlencode to encode the parameters; 3. Splice and generate sharing links according to the protocols of each platform; 4. Display links on the front end for users to click and share; 5. Dynamically generate OG tags on the page to optimize sharing content display; 6. Be sure to escape user input to prevent XSS attacks. This method does not require complex authentication, has low maintenance costs, and is suitable for most content sharing needs.
How to use PHP combined with AI to achieve text error correction PHP syntax detection and optimization
Jul 25, 2025 pm 08:57 PM
To realize text error correction and syntax optimization with AI, you need to follow the following steps: 1. Select a suitable AI model or API, such as Baidu, Tencent API or open source NLP library; 2. Call the API through PHP's curl or Guzzle and process the return results; 3. Display error correction information in the application and allow users to choose whether to adopt it; 4. Use php-l and PHP_CodeSniffer for syntax detection and code optimization; 5. Continuously collect feedback and update the model or rules to improve the effect. When choosing AIAPI, focus on evaluating accuracy, response speed, price and support for PHP. Code optimization should follow PSR specifications, use cache reasonably, avoid circular queries, review code regularly, and use X
PHP creates a blog comment system to monetize PHP comment review and anti-brush strategy
Jul 25, 2025 pm 08:27 PM
1. Maximizing the commercial value of the comment system requires combining native advertising precise delivery, user paid value-added services (such as uploading pictures, top-up comments), influence incentive mechanism based on comment quality, and compliance anonymous data insight monetization; 2. The audit strategy should adopt a combination of pre-audit dynamic keyword filtering and user reporting mechanisms, supplemented by comment quality rating to achieve content hierarchical exposure; 3. Anti-brushing requires the construction of multi-layer defense: reCAPTCHAv3 sensorless verification, Honeypot honeypot field recognition robot, IP and timestamp frequency limit prevents watering, and content pattern recognition marks suspicious comments, and continuously iterate to deal with attacks.
How to use PHP to combine AI to generate image. PHP automatically generates art works
Jul 25, 2025 pm 07:21 PM
PHP does not directly perform AI image processing, but integrates through APIs, because it is good at web development rather than computing-intensive tasks. API integration can achieve professional division of labor, reduce costs, and improve efficiency; 2. Integrating key technologies include using Guzzle or cURL to send HTTP requests, JSON data encoding and decoding, API key security authentication, asynchronous queue processing time-consuming tasks, robust error handling and retry mechanism, image storage and display; 3. Common challenges include API cost out of control, uncontrollable generation results, poor user experience, security risks and difficult data management. The response strategies are setting user quotas and caches, providing propt guidance and multi-picture selection, asynchronous notifications and progress prompts, key environment variable storage and content audit, and cloud storage.
PHP realizes commodity inventory management and monetization PHP inventory synchronization and alarm mechanism
Jul 25, 2025 pm 08:30 PM
PHP ensures inventory deduction atomicity through database transactions and FORUPDATE row locks to prevent high concurrent overselling; 2. Multi-platform inventory consistency depends on centralized management and event-driven synchronization, combining API/Webhook notifications and message queues to ensure reliable data transmission; 3. The alarm mechanism should set low inventory, zero/negative inventory, unsalable sales, replenishment cycles and abnormal fluctuations strategies in different scenarios, and select DingTalk, SMS or Email Responsible Persons according to the urgency, and the alarm information must be complete and clear to achieve business adaptation and rapid response.
Beyond the LAMP Stack: PHP's Role in Modern Enterprise Architecture
Jul 27, 2025 am 04:31 AM
PHPisstillrelevantinmodernenterpriseenvironments.1.ModernPHP(7.xand8.x)offersperformancegains,stricttyping,JITcompilation,andmodernsyntax,makingitsuitableforlarge-scaleapplications.2.PHPintegrateseffectivelyinhybridarchitectures,servingasanAPIgateway
PHP integrated AI speech recognition and translator PHP meeting record automatic generation solution
Jul 25, 2025 pm 07:06 PM
Select the appropriate AI voice recognition service and integrate PHPSDK; 2. Use PHP to call ffmpeg to convert recordings into API-required formats (such as wav); 3. Upload files to cloud storage and call API asynchronous recognition; 4. Analyze JSON results and organize text using NLP technology; 5. Generate Word or Markdown documents to complete the automation of meeting records. The entire process needs to ensure data encryption, access control and compliance to ensure privacy and security.
