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PHP OOP - Constructor
What is a Constructor in PHP?
A constructor allows you to initialize an object's properties upon creation of the object.
A constructor is a special method in a class that is automatically called when a new object of the class is created.
In PHP, constructors are defined using the __construct() method.
Syntax of a Constructor
class ClassName {
public function __construct() {
// Code that runs when an object is created
}
}
We see in the example below, that using a constructor saves us from calling the set_name() method which reduces the amount of code:
<?php
class Car {
public $brand;
public $color;
// Constructor
function __construct($brand) {
$this->brand = $brand;
}
// Methods
public function get_brand() {
return $this->brand;
}
}
// Creating objects with constructor
$car = new Car("Honda");
echo $car->get_brand(); // Output: This is a Honda.
?>
Another example:
<?php
class Car {
public $brand;
public $color;
// Constructor
public function __construct($brand, $color) {
$this->brand = $brand;
$this->color = $color;
}
// Methods
public function get_brand() {
return $this->brand;
}
public function get_color() {
return $this->color;
}
}
// Creating objects with constructor
$car = new Car("Honda","Blue");
echo "Brand:" . $car->get_brand();
echo "<br>";
echo "Color:" . $car->get_color();
?>