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Exploring the Short Syntax: Understanding "=">
In PHP, programmers often encounter the mysterious syntax "=expression?>". This compact notation serves a valuable purpose, but its meaning may not be immediately apparent.
What is "="> and How Does it Work?
"="> is a shorthand form for the following longer syntax:
<?php echo $expression; ?>
In essence, "=expression?>" directly outputs the result of evaluating expression. This syntax saves time and effort by streamlining the code required for echoing variables or values.
When to Use "=">
"="> is particularly useful in scenarios where immediate output is desired. For example, it can be employed within templates or when writing helper functions that generate HTML or other dynamic content.
Consider the following example:
<html> <body> The current value of $a is <?= $a; ?> </body> </html>
In this code, "="> conveniently embeds the value of $a directly into the HTML, allowing the template to dynamically display this information.
Note: "="> must be followed by a semicolon (;).
Historical Context and Availability
Prior to PHP 5.4.0, "="> was considered an experimental feature and required enabling via the php.ini configuration file. However, from PHP 5.4.0 onwards, it became part of the default settings and is perpetually enabled.
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