PHP : echo and print Statements

In PHP, both the echo and print statements are used to output strings or other data to the web page. They are often used to display HTML content, generate dynamic content, or provide feedback to users. While they serve similar purposes, there are some differences between them:

1. echo Statement:

 

  •    echo is not a function but a language construct, so parentheses are optional when using it.
  •    It can output multiple values separated by commas.
  •    It does not return a value, so it cannot be used as part of an expression.
  •    It is slightly faster and more commonly used in PHP scripts.   


   echo "Hello, world!";
  

2. print Statement:

 

  •    print is a language construct similar to echo, but it behaves like a function and always returns 1.
  •    It can only output a single value at a time.
  •    It can be used as part of an expression.

   

   print "Hello, world!";
  

Both echo and print can output variables and concatenate strings with the . operator:


$name = "John";
echo "Hello, " . $name . "!";
print "Hello, " . $name . "!";
 

In general, echo is more commonly used due to its simplicity and slightly better performance. However, print can be useful in situations where its expression-like behavior is desired or for consistent coding style. Ultimately, the choice between echo and print is a matter of personal preference and coding conventions.