Cyrus D. wrote:
Hi guys,
I haven't done that much research on this topic but it seems I can use
either the single quotes or the double quotes. SInce I am so used to C(++) I
prefer the double quotes and am wondering if they could possible be less
efficient. Maybe I should get in the habit of using single quotes with Php
instead ?
I like my code to be consistent, so in two very similar circumstances I
don't want one set of code using single quotes and the other double (I'm
kinda anal, what can I say ?)
Here are some simple and very common usages:
$fullname="Satan"; // regular assignment that may of may not get passed to
function
$match="/[0-9]/"; // same but will definitely get passed to a function
preg_match($match,$string);
$formdata=$_POST["formData"]; // for arrays
I have lots of similar code all throughout my Php programs. So what do you
think, should I be using the single of double quotes in those situations ? I
want to get into a good habbit now so I can write some solid stuff that I
don't have to go back and change.
Take care,
Cyrus
Cyrus,
Have a look at the php online manual, they give some good guidelines on
when to use which and don't forget to look at HEREDOC style too.
The short of it is:
What's between single quotes will be interpreted literally, i.e. '*your
name is $name*' will print literally *your name is $name* without
evaluating $name to the value of the variable.
What's between double quotes will be evaluated, so "*your name is
$name*" would come out as for instance *your name is Cyrus*
Still, with double quotes you'll have to escape double quotes (such as
used in HTML), with single quotes, you don't have to.
Within double quotes escape characters such as \n for new line to create
readable code will be interpreted, within single quotes, those also
won't be interpreted.
So basically, don't be anal and use both.
Generally I use single quotes if it's plain HTML which I want to add to
a string and double quotes for anything that needs evaluating, i.e.:
var $theHtml = '<H2 class="testclass">This is just a plain header</H2>';
$theHtml .= '<P>Now I add some more information, such as this link:';
$theHtml .= "<A HREF=\"$basepath/$filename\">a link</A></P>";
I don't pretend that this is best practice or anything, but it works for me.
Good luck,
Juliette