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Magic Constants

Magic constants are the predefined constants in PHP which get changed on the basis of their use. They start with double underscore (__) and ends with double underscore.

They are similar to other predefined constants but as they change their values with the context, they are called magic constants.

There are nine magic constants in PHP. In which eight magic constants start and end with double underscores (__).

__LINE__
__FILE__
__DIR__
__FUNCTION__
__CLASS__
__TRAIT__
__METHOD__
__NAMESPACE__
ClassName::class

All of the constants are resolved at compile-time instead of run time, unlike the regular constant. Magic constants are case-insensitive.

Changelog

Version	Description
5.3.0	Added __DIR__ and __NAMESPACE__ magic constant
5.4.0	Added __TRAIT__ magic constant
5.5.0	Added ::class magic constant

All the constants are defined below with the example code:

1. LINE

It returns the current line number of the file, where this constant is used.

Example:

     <?php 
	echo "<h3>Example for __LINE__</h3>";  
	// print Your current line number i.e;4   
	echo "You are at line number " . __LINE__ . "<br><br>";
?>

    

Output:

Example for __LINE__
You are at line number 4

2. FILE:

This magic constant returns the full path of the executed file, where the file is stored. If it is used inside the include, the name of the included file is returned.

Example:

     <?php 
	echo "<h3>Example for __FILE__</h3>";  
	//print full path of file with .php extension  
	echo __FILE__ . "<br><br>";
?>

    

Output:

Example for __FILE__
D:\xampp\htdocs\program\magic.php

3. DIR:

It returns the full directory path of the executed file. The path returned by this magic constant is equivalent to dirname(__FILE__). This magic constant does not have a trailing slash unless it is a root directory.

Example:

     <?php 
	echo "<h3>Example for __DIR__</h3>";  
	//print full path of directory where script will be placed  
	echo __DIR__ . "<br><br>";
	//below output will equivalent to above one.
	echo dirname(__FILE__) . "<br><br>";  
?>

    

Output:

Example for __DIR__
D:\xampp\htdocs\program

D:\xampp\htdocs\program

4. FUNCTION:

This magic constant returns the function name, where this constant is used. It will return blank if it is used outside of any function.

Example:

     <?php 
	echo "<h3>Example for __FUNCTION__</h3>";  
	//Using magic constant inside function.  
	function test(){  
		//print the function name i.e; test. 
		echo 'The function name is '. __FUNCTION__ . "<br><br>"; 
	}  
	test();  
	
	//Magic constant used outside function gives the blank output.  
	function test_function(){  
		echo 'Hie';  
	}  
	test_function();  
	//give the blank output. 
	echo  __FUNCTION__ . "<br><br>";
?>

    

Output:

Example for __FUNCTION__
The function name is test

Hie

5. CLASS:

It returns the class name, where this magic constant is used. __CLASS__ constant also works in traits.

Example:

     <?php 
	echo "<h3>Example for __CLASS__</h3>";  
	class JTP  
	{  
		public function __construct() {  
			;  
	}  
	function getClassName(){  
		//print name of the class JTP. 
		echo __CLASS__ . "<br><br>"; 
		}  
	}  
	$t = new JTP;  
	$t->getClassName();  
	
	//in case of multiple classes 
	class base
	{  
	function test_first(){  
			//will always print parent class which is base here.  
			echo __CLASS__; 
		}  
	}  
	class child extends base  
	{  
		public function __construct() {  
			;  
		}  
	}  
	$t = new child;  
	$t->test_first();  
?>

    

Output:

Example for __CLASS__
JTP

base

6. TRAIT:

This magic constant returns the trait name, where it is used.

Example:

     <?php 
	echo "<h3>Example for __TRAIT__</h3>";  
	trait created_trait {  
		function jtp(){  
			//will print name of the trait i.e; created_trait  
			echo __TRAIT__;
		}  
	}  
	class Company {  
		use created_trait;  
		}  
	$a = new Company;  
	$a->jtp();  
?>

    

Output:

Example for __TRAIT__
created_trait

7. METHOD:

It returns the name of the class method where this magic constant is included. The method name is returned the same as it was declared.

Example:

     <?php 
	echo "<h3>Example for __METHOD__</h3>";
	class method {  
		public function __construct() {  
			//print method::__construct  
				echo __METHOD__ . "<br><br>"; 
			}  
		public function meth_fun(){  
			//print method::meth_fun  
				echo __METHOD__; 
		}  
	}  
	$a = new method;  
	$a->meth_fun();
?>

    

Output:

Example for __METHOD__
method:: construct
method:: meth_fun

8. NAMESPACE:

It returns the current namespace where it is used.

Example:

     <?php 
	echo "<h3>Example for __NAMESPACE__</h3>";
	class name {  
		public function __construct() {  
			echo 'This line will print on calling namespace.';   
		}   
	}  
	$class_name = __NAMESPACE__ . '\name';  
	$a = new class_name; 
?>

    

Output:

Example for __NAMESPACE__
This line will print on calling namespace.

9. ClassName::class:

This magic constant does not start and end with the double underscore (__). It returns the fully qualified name of the ClassName. ClassName::class is added in PHP 5.5.0. It is useful with namespaced classes.

Example:

     <?php 
	namespace Technical_Portal;
	echo "<h3>Example for CLASSNAME::CLASS </h3>";
	class w3cschoool {  
	}
	echo w3cschoool::class;    //ClassName::class 
?>

    

Output:

Example for ClassName::class
Technical_Portal\w3cschoool

Note: Remember namespace must be the very first statement or after any declare call in the script, otherwise it will generate Fatal error.

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Magic Constants

Changelog

1. __LINE__

Example for __LINE__

2. __FILE__:

Example for __FILE__

3. __DIR__:

Example for __DIR__

4. __FUNCTION__:

Example for __FUNCTION__

5. __CLASS__:

Example for __CLASS__

6. __TRAIT__:

Example for __TRAIT__

7. __METHOD__:

Example for __METHOD__

8. __NAMESPACE__:

Example for __NAMESPACE__

9. ClassName::class:

Example for ClassName::class

Note: Remember namespace must be the very first statement or after any declare call in the script, otherwise it will generate Fatal error.

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1. LINE

Example for LINE

2. FILE:

Example for FILE

3. DIR:

Example for DIR

4. FUNCTION:

Example for FUNCTION

5. CLASS:

Example for CLASS

6. TRAIT:

Example for TRAIT

7. METHOD:

Example for METHOD

8. NAMESPACE:

Example for NAMESPACE