What\'s the Difference Between =, ==, and === in PHP?

Understanding the Subtleties of =, ==, and === in PHP

In PHP, the use of =, ==, and === for comparisons often raises questions. Let's delve into the distinctions between these operators and their appropriate applications.

Assignment Operator =

= is an assignment operator. It assigns the value of the right-hand side (operand) to the left-hand side (variable):

<code class="php">$a = 10;  // Assigns the value 10 to variable $a</code>

'Equal' Comparison Operator ==

== is an 'equal' comparison operator. It evaluates if the values of both operands are equal, regardless of their types:

<code class="php">$a == 10;  // True if $a is equal to 10 (even if $a is a string)</code>

'Identical' Comparison Operator ===

=== is an 'identical' comparison operator. It goes beyond value equality and ensures that the operands are not only equal in value but also identical in data type:

<code class="php">$a === 10;  // True if $a is both equal to 10 and an integer</code>

Summary Table

Operator	Description
=	Assigns the value of the right-hand side to the left-hand side
==	Compares the values of both operands for equality, regardless of type
===	Compares the values and data types of both operands for identity

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