Question

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In PHP, whats the difference between :: and ->?

In PHP, what is the main difference of while calling a function() inside a class with arrow -> and Scope Resolution Operator :: ?

For more clearance, the difference between:

$name = $foo->getName();
$name = $foo::getName();

What is the main profit of Scope Resolution Operator :: ?

Answer 1

$name = $foo->getName();

This will invoke a member or static function of the object $foo, while

$name = $foo::getName();

will invoke a static function of the class of $foo. The ‘profit’, if you wanna call it that, of using :: is being able to access static members of a class without the need for an object instance of such class. That is,

$name = ClassOfFoo::getName();