why do php variables need to be identified by $?

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Why does PHP have a $ sign in front of variables?

In languages like bash and Perl, strings need not be quoted and that is why variable access needs to be identified by using $. Why does PHP need the similar mechanism?

It doesn't "need"; it's just the way it is. – Artefacto Sep 27 '11 at 14:33 — Artefacto, Sep 27 '11 at 14:33
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigil_(computer_programming) – mario Sep 27 '11 at 15:03 — mario, Sep 27 '11 at 15:03

phihag · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-27T15:02:46.987

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It's a historical decision, probably because it allows to include variables in a string literal:

$variable = "handle to data storage";
echo "a $variable";

edited Sep 27 '11 at 15:02

answered Sep 27 '11 at 14:33

phihag

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score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 27 '11 at 14:33

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Because PHP is influenced by Perl. Back then, when it was conceived, PHP was just a set of Perl scripts.

answered Sep 27 '11 at 14:33

jacek

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score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 27 '11 at 14:34

PHP Constants are a seperate type, but behave much like variables (except they can't be changed, of course... that's what they're constants for) and look a lot like 'em too. For readability, it's nicer to have an identifier. (<- random guess, not)

Besides:

$lol = abcdef;
$lol === 'abcdef'; // true

Undefined constants will throw a notice and will be interpreted as a string.

ohyes, and inside strings, variables can also be used, so an identifier is absolutely necessary (thanks to phihag)

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Sep 27 '11 at 14:35

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I think simply because without it mixing variable inside string will not be possible

$name = "bond";
echo "My name is $name" ;

Now without $ name will act as string .

answered Sep 27 '11 at 14:35

Mr Coder

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why do php variables need to be identified by $?

4 Answers4