var_dump

(PHP 3>= 3.0.5, PHP 4 )

var_dump -- Dumps information about a variable

Description

void var_dump ( mixed expression [, mixed expression [, ...]])

This function displays structured information about one or more expressions that includes its type and value. Arrays are explored recursively with values indented to show structure.

Tip: As with anything that outputs its result directly to the browser, you can use the output-control functions to capture the output of this function, and save it in a string (for example).

Compare var_dump() to print_r().

Example 1. var_dump() example

<pre>
<?php
$a = array (1, 2, array ("a", "b", "c"));
var_dump ($a);

/* output:
array(3) {
  [0]=>
  int(1)
  [1]=>
  int(2)
  [2]=>
  array(3) {
    [0]=>
    string(1) "a"
    [1]=>
    string(1) "b"
    [2]=>
    string(1) "c"
  }
}

*/

$b = 3.1;
$c = TRUE;
var_dump($b,$c);

/* output:
float(3.1)
bool(true)

*/
?>
</pre>