Introduction

PHP provides two fundamental constructs for outputting data: echo and print. Both are used to display information to the user, but there are subtle differences between them. This tutorial will explore these differences, how to use both constructs effectively, and some practical examples.

Echo Statement

Characteristics

• No Return Value: echo does not return any value.
• Multiple Parameters: echo can take multiple parameters separated by commas.
• Performance: echo is slightly faster than print because it does not return a value.

Basic Usage

You can use echo to display a string.

<?php
echo "Hello, World!"; // Outputs: Hello, World!
?>

Using Parentheses

Although echo is not a function, you can use parentheses.

<?php
echo("Hello, World!"); // Outputs: Hello, World!
?>

Multiple Parameters

You can pass multiple strings to echo, separated by commas.

<?php
echo "Hello", ", ", "World", "!"; // Outputs: Hello, World!
?>

Outputting Variables

You can use echo to output the value of variables.

<?php
$greeting = "Hello";
$name = "World";
echo $greeting . ", " . $name . "!"; // Outputs: Hello, World!
?>

Outputting HTML

echo is often used to output HTML code.

<?php
echo "<h1>Hello, World!</h1>"; // Outputs: <h1>Hello, World!</h1>
?>

Combining Strings and Variables

You can combine strings and variables directly within echo.

<?php
$name = "World";
echo "Hello, $name!"; // Outputs: Hello, World!
?>

Print Statement

Characteristics

• Return Value: print always returns 1, making it useful in expressions.
• Single Argument: print can only take one argument.
• Performance: print is slightly slower than echo due to its return value.

Basic Usage

You can use print to display a string.

<?php
print "Hello, World!"; // Outputs: Hello, World!
?>

Using Parentheses

Like echo, print can be used with parentheses.

<?php
print("Hello, World!"); // Outputs: Hello, World!
?>

Return Value

Since print returns 1, it can be used in expressions.

<?php
if (print "Hello, World!") {
    print " This will also be printed."; // Outputs: Hello, World! This will also be printed.
}
?>

Outputting Variables

You can use print to output variables.

<?php
$greeting = "Hello";
$name = "World";
print $greeting . ", " . $name . "!"; // Outputs: Hello, World!
?>

Outputting HTML

print can also be used to output HTML code.

<?php
print "<h1>Hello, World!</h1>"; // Outputs: <h1>Hello, World!</h1>
?>

Differences Between Echo and Print

• Return Value: echo does not return a value, while print returns 1.
• Multiple Parameters: echo can take multiple parameters, while print can only take one.
• Performance: echo is slightly faster than print.

Practical Examples

Example 1: Using Echo to Output HTML

<?php
echo "<div>";
echo "<h1>Welcome to my website</h1>";
echo "<p>This is a sample paragraph.</p>";
echo "</div>";
?>

Example 2: Using Print to Output Variables

<?php
$name = "John";
$age = 30;
print "Name: " . $name . "<br>";
print "Age: " . $age . "<br>";
?>

Example 3: Using Echo with Multiple Parameters

<?php
echo "This ", "string ", "was ", "made ", "with multiple parameters.";
?>

Example 4: Using Print in an Expression

“`php