PHP Constants

PHP 5 Constants

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Constants are like variables except that once they are defined they cannot be changed or undefined.

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PHP Constants

A constant is an identifier (name) for a simple value. The value cannot be changed during the script.
A valid constant name starts with a letter or underscore (no $ sign before the constant name).
Note: Unlike variables, constants are automatically global across the entire script.

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Create a PHP Constant

To create a constant, use the define() function.

Syntax

define(name, value, case-insensitive)

Parameters:

• name: Specifies the name of the constant
• value: Specifies the value of the constant
• case-insensitive: Specifies whether the constant name should be case-insensitive. Default is false

The example below creates a constant with a case-sensitive name:

Example

<?php
define("GREETING", "Welcome to W3Schools.com!");
echo GREETING;
?>

The example below creates a constant with a case-insensitive name:

Example

<?php
define("GREETING", "Welcome to W3Schools.com!", true);
echo greeting;
?>

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Constants are Global

Constants are automatically global and can be used across the entire script.
The example below uses a constant inside a function, even if it is defined outside the function:

Example

<?php
define("GREETING", "Welcome to W3Schools.com!");

function myTest() {
    echo GREETING;
}

myTest();
?>

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