Why static properties not accessible by -> but static function accessiable?

Question

I have below code

class MyClass
{
    public static $count = 0;

    public static function plusOne()
    {
        return "The count is " . ++self::$count . ".<br />";
    }
}

$obj = new MyClass;
$obj->plusOne(); //Works proper for static function

echo '<br/>'.MyClass::$count; // count: 1

MyClass::plusOne(); //Works proper for static function
echo '<br/>'.MyClass::$count; // count: 2

----OUTPUT------
1
2

----------------

1. I have access static method by creating object (using ->) and by scope resolution operator (using ::) Method works properly But when I am trying to use static Property by scope resolution (using :: ) It display notice don't work. below is additional code.

   $obj->count; // Notice: Undefined property: MyClass::$count

2. I have access static method by creating object (using ->) and by scope resolution operator (using ::) BUT still static properties count increases WHY?

3. Why Different access rule for static property (only :: ) and method (by ->, ::)?

Answer 1

In your example it looks odd, but imagine if you also had

class MyOtherClass
{
    public $count = 0;

    public function plusOne()
    {
        return "The other count is " . ++$this->count . ".<br />";
    }
}

Now if you want to do

$obj->plusOne();

You can do that and it will work regardless of if $obj is MyClass or MyOtherClass. The implementation details aren't important at this point, unless you already know them - eg. you can use MyClass::plusOne() without instantiating it, because you know that's a static method.

Static variables are always static as declared. There is no data on the instance - so whatever scope you're using when you update it, it will update the static count.