Question

Possible Duplicate:
Reference – What does this symbol mean in PHP?

When I use a function I use standard return statements.

I mean by that that I usually either return true or false or a variable. Nevertheless I am currently following a tutorial which I understand pretty well beside the return of the here below function.

I do not get how to read the question mark the two dots….

public function someFunction()
{
    return null === $this->anAttribute ? null : $this->aFunction();
}

Answer 1

Return null if $this->anAttribute is null else return $this->aFunction()

?: called ternary operator

Writing null in first place is used for avoiding wrong assignments typo, like if ($a = null). If you get used to writing functions and constants firts this will lead to error if(null = $a)

=== can be read in article used above and called Identical. $a === $b TRUE if $a is equal to $b, and they are of the same type.