Basics
PHP Attributes
PHP Attributes for Metadata
PHP attributes use #[Attribute] for metadata, added in PHP 8.0.
Introduction to PHP Attributes
PHP attributes, also known as annotations in other programming languages, were introduced in PHP 8.0 to add metadata to classes, methods, functions, and properties. They provide a structured way to pass configuration information and are especially useful in frameworks and libraries.
Defining PHP Attributes
To define an attribute, you use the #[Attribute] syntax. Attributes can be applied to classes, methods, functions, and properties. Here is an example of defining a simple attribute in PHP:
Applying Attributes to Code
Once defined, you can apply attributes to your PHP code elements. Here's how you can apply the ExampleAttribute to a class method:
Reading Attributes in PHP
Attributes can be accessed using PHP's Reflection API. This allows you to read the metadata at runtime. Below is an example of how to retrieve and use attributes:
Benefits of Using PHP Attributes
PHP attributes provide several benefits:
- Cleaner Code: They help reduce boilerplate code by providing a declarative way to specify configurations.
- Enhanced Metadata: Attributes offer a better way to attach metadata to code elements than traditional docblocks.
- Framework Integration: They are particularly useful in frameworks for defining routes, validation rules, or dependency injection configurations.
Basics
- Introduction
- Installation
- Running Code
- Syntax
- Variables
- Data Types
- Numbers
- Strings
- Booleans
- Type Conversion
- Operators
- Ternary Operator
- Nullsafe Operator
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- For Loops
- Arrays
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- Arguments
- Scope
- Errors
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- Classes
- Inheritance
- Interfaces
- Traits
- Anonymous Classes
- Attributes
- Security Basics
- Best Practices
- Echo / Print
- Constants
- Magic Constants
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