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Brief PHP Scope Resolution Operator Explanation
Posted on June 23, 2015 in OOP, PHP by Matt Jennings

In the example below the scope resolution operator (::) ensures the attack() method of the Wizard subclass includes the code inside the attack() method of the Human parent class which has the same name but is NOT overwritten.

<?php
class Human
{

    public function attack()
    {
        echo 'Human attack!<br />';
    }

}

class Wizard extends Human
{

    public function attack()
    {
        parent::attack();
        echo 'Wizard attack!<br />';
    }

}

$harry = new Wizard();

/*
Output of code below is:
Human attack!
Wizard attack!
*/
$harry->attack();
?>

Tags: OOP