$this Keyword in PHP

in PHP on June 8, 2021

$this Keyword

PHP supports Object Oriented Programming.

Just like this keyword in JavaScript or some other programming languages, the $this keyword in PHP refers to the current object. It is only available inside the Class methods.

Take a look at this code:


<?php
class Car {
  public $model;
}
$tesla = new Car();
?>

The $this keyword is used when you want to change the value for the $model property.

Change the property value inside the class

To do so, we need to add a set_name() method and use $this keyword inside it.


<?php
class Car {
  public $model;
  function set_name($model) {
    $this->model = $model;
  }
}
$tesla = new Car();
$tesla->set_name("Tesla");

//print the object
print_r($tesla);
//Car Object ( [model] => Tesla )
?>

That’s not the only way to change the value for the object property though.

Change the property value outside of the class

To do so, we need to add a set_name() method and use $this keyword inside it.


<?php
class Car {
  public $model;
}

$tesla = new Car();
$tesla->name = "Tesla";

//print the object
print_r($tesla);
//Car Object ( [model] => Tesla )
?>