Echo vs. Print in PHP: When to Use Each?

Uncovering the Differences Between echo and print in PHP

While both echo and print serve the purpose of displaying output in PHP, they exhibit subtle yet important distinctions.

Speed:

Echo is marginally faster than print as it doesn't set a return value. However, this difference is often negligible.

Expression:

Unlike echo, print functions as an expression, allowing it to be integrated into more complex expressions. For example:

$ret = print "Hello World"; // $ret will be 1

Parameters:

Echo allows multiple parameters without parentheses, which are concatenated:

echo "and a ", 1, 2, 3; // Outputs "and a 1 2 3"

Print, on the other hand, can only accept a single parameter:

print "and a 123"; // Outputs "and a 123"
print  "and a 123"; // Outputs "and a 123"

Summary:

In general, echo is preferred for its speed and simplicity in outputting data. However, if the functionality of print, such as its ability to be used as an expression or take comma-separated arguments, is required, then it should be employed.

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