Introduction: Why PHP Operators Matter

In any programming language, operators play a key role in performing operations on variables and values. PHP is no different.

From simple calculations to complex logic handling, PHP operators help you write expressive and functional code. Mastering them is essential for every PHP developer to build dynamic web applications effectively.

In this article, you'll learn:

• The different types of operators in PHP

• Their syntax and usage with examples

• Practical tips and mistakes to avoid

Types of PHP Operators

PHP supports a rich set of operators. Here's a categorized breakdown:

➕ 1. Arithmetic Operators

These are used for basic mathematical operations.

2. Assignment Operators

Used to assign values to variables.

3. Comparison Operators

Used to compare two values (returns boolean).

4. Logical Operators

Used to combine conditional statements.

5. Increment/Decrement Operators

6. String Operators

7. Array Operators

 8. Conditional (Ternary) Operator

$age = 20;
$status = ($age >= 18) ? "Adult" : "Minor";

The above is shorthand for:

if ($age >= 18) {
    $status = "Adult";
} else {
    $status = "Minor";
}

Complete Functional Code Example

<?php
$a = 10;
$b = 3;

// Arithmetic
echo "Addition: " . ($a + $b) . "\n";
echo "Division: " . ($a / $b) . "\n";

// Comparison
echo "Is Equal: " . var_export($a == $b, true) . "\n";

// Logical
if ($a > 5 && $b < 5) {
    echo "Both conditions are true.\n";
}

// Ternary
echo ($a > $b) ? "A is greater\n" : "B is greater\n";

// String
$str1 = "Hello";
$str2 = "World";
echo $str1 . " " . $str2 . "\n";
?>

⚠️ Tips & Common Pitfalls

✅ Tips

• Use === instead of == for type-safe comparisons

• Prefer && and || over and/or for clarity and precedence

• Use spaces around operators for better readability

❌ Common Pitfalls

• Confusing = (assignment) with == (comparison)

• Using or/and without parentheses can lead to unexpected results due to lower precedence

$result = true || false; // Correct
$result = true or false; // Wrong if used without parentheses

Conclusion & Best Practices

PHP operators are the building blocks of logic and control flow in your scripts. By understanding their syntax, behavior, and precedence, you write code that is both clean and predictable.

Key Takeaways

• Use arithmetic and assignment operators for calculations

• Master comparison and logical operators for control structures

• Know the difference between == vs ===, and && vs and

• Be cautious with operator precedence

By practicing these operators in real-world scenarios, you’ll quickly gain confidence in writing PHP logic that works as expected.