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Echo vs Print

 

In PHP, echo and print are two language constructs used to output data to the browser. While they often work interchangeably, there are subtle differences that are useful to understand for beginners.

Echo

echo outputs one or more strings to the browser. It is faster than print because it doesn’t return a value. echo can output multiple strings separated by commas.

Example:

<?php
echo "Hello, World!";
echo " ", "Welcome to PHP!";
?>

Output:

Hello, World! Welcome to PHP!

Print

print outputs a single string and always returns 1, which allows it to be used in expressions. Unlike echo, print can only take one argument and is slightly slower.

Example:

<?php
$test = print "Hello, World!";
echo "\nReturned value: " . $test;
?>

Output:

Hello, World!
Returned value: 1

Key Differences

Echo does not return a value, can take multiple arguments, and is slightly faster. Print returns 1, can only take one argument, and can be used in expressions.

When to Use

Use echo for quick output of multiple strings. Use print if you need a return value or want to include it in an expression.

Conclusion

Both echo and print are essential for displaying output in PHP. For most cases, echo is preferred due to its speed and flexibility, while print is handy in situations requiring a return value.

 

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