what is "$this" in php?

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What does the variable $this mean in PHP?

I know this is extremely basic. I am watching tutorials on YouTube about CakePHP and PHP and all of them keep using "$this", but none of them actually say what it is or what it is used for. I think it is a variable, but what does it contain, and why do all of the functions have to be run from it? Is it the current class? I read here that "$this" is different from self though, so I am not sure if this is the case.

score 8 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 26 '11 at 21:47

8

if used in a class, $this refers to the object that it's in.

answered Jun 26 '11 at 21:47

SDuke

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made it so simle..less is more!!! – HIRA THAKUR Oct 12 '13 at 13:23

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 26 '11 at 21:47

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$this refers to the instance of the class (a.k.a. object). self is more or less the same, but for static classes.

answered Jun 26 '11 at 21:47

planestepper

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class is not also known as object, an object is a class in it's initiated form. – RobertPitt Jun 26 '11 at 21:48
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@RobertPitt sure thing - wanted to take it easy for someone that does not seem to be familiar with OOP in PHP – planestepper Jun 26 '11 at 21:49
It's just incorrect regardless of the OP's Level – RobertPitt Jun 26 '11 at 21:50

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 26 '11 at 21:48

I suggest you to read http://php.net/oop in particular this section http://www.php.net/manual/en/language.oop5.basic.php

The pseudo-variable $this is available when a method is called from within an object context. $this is a reference to the calling object (usually the object to which the method belongs, but possibly another object, if the method is called statically from the context of a secondary object).

what is "$this" in php?

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