Print statement in PHP - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the print statement do in PHP?

The print statement outputs text or variables to the screen. It is used to display information to the user.

beginner

How do you print the text 'Hello, World!' in PHP?

Use print 'Hello, World!'; or echo 'Hello, World!'; to display the text on the screen.

intermediate

What is the difference between print and echo in PHP?

print returns 1 and can be used in expressions, while echo does not return a value. Both output text but echo is slightly faster.

beginner

Can print output variables in PHP?

Yes, you can print variables by including them inside the print statement, for example: print $name;.

beginner

Is it necessary to use parentheses with print in PHP?

No, parentheses are optional. Both print 'text'; and print('text'); work the same way.

Which PHP statement outputs text to the screen?

A scan

B input

C read

D print

The print statement outputs text or variables to the screen in PHP.

What will this PHP code output?
print 'Hi!';

A Nothing

B Hi!

C Error

D print 'Hi!';

The print statement outputs the string inside quotes exactly as it is.

Which of these is true about print in PHP?

A <code>print</code> returns a value

B <code>print</code> cannot output variables

C <code>print</code> is a function that must use parentheses

D <code>print</code> is used to read input

print returns 1, so it can be used in expressions.

Is this valid PHP code?
print('Hello');

A Only valid in PHP 8+

B No, parentheses cause error

C Yes, parentheses are optional

D Only valid if inside a function

Parentheses around the argument in print are optional and valid.

How do you print the value of a variable $name in PHP?

A print $name;

B print '$name';

C print &name;

D print(name);

Use print $name; to output the value stored in the variable.

Explain how the print statement works in PHP and how it differs from echo.

Think about output and return values.

Write a simple PHP code snippet that prints your name using the print statement.

Use quotes around your name.

Practice

1. What does the print statement do in PHP?

easy

A. It shows text or values on the screen.

B. It saves data to a file.

C. It creates a new variable.

D. It deletes a file.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of print

   The print statement is used to display output on the screen in PHP.

2. Step 2: Compare options with print's function

   Only It shows text or values on the screen. correctly describes this behavior; others describe unrelated actions.

3. Final Answer:

   It shows text or values on the screen. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Print = Show output [OK]

Hint: Print always outputs text or values to the screen [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking print saves or deletes files
• Confusing print with variable creation
• Assuming print modifies data silently

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to print the text Hello World in PHP?

easy

A. print(Hello World);

B. print "Hello World";

C. print "Hello World"

D. print 'Hello World'

Solution

1. Step 1: Check for quotes around text

   Text must be inside quotes to be printed correctly in PHP.

2. Step 2: Check for semicolon at the end

   PHP statements must end with a semicolon; only print "Hello World"; has both quotes and semicolon.

3. Final Answer:

   print "Hello World"; -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Quotes + semicolon = correct print syntax [OK]

Hint: Text must be in quotes and end with semicolon [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting quotes around text
• Missing semicolon at the end
• Using parentheses without quotes

3. What will be the output of the following PHP code?

print 123;
print " apples";

medium

A. 123apples

B. 123" apples"

C. 123 apples

D. Error: missing semicolon

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze first print statement

   print 123; prints the number 123 without quotes.

2. Step 2: Analyze second print statement

   print " apples"; prints the text ' apples' with a space before apples.

3. Step 3: Combine outputs

   Both prints run one after another, so output is '123 apples'.

4. Final Answer:

   123 apples -> Option C

5. Quick Check:

   Number + text prints together = 123 apples [OK]

Hint: Print numbers without quotes, text with quotes, outputs join [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting quotes to print literally
• Missing space between number and text
• Thinking missing semicolon causes error here

4. Identify the error in this PHP code:

print "Hello World"

medium

A. Missing semicolon at the end

B. Quotes should be single quotes

C. print should be uppercase

D. Missing parentheses around text

Solution

1. Step 1: Check statement ending

   PHP statements must end with a semicolon; this code misses it.

2. Step 2: Verify other syntax parts

   Quotes can be single or double, print is case-insensitive, parentheses optional.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing semicolon at the end -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Semicolon missing = syntax error [OK]

Hint: Always end print statements with a semicolon [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting semicolon at line end
• Thinking print must be uppercase
• Adding unnecessary parentheses

5. How can you print the phrase PHP version: 8.1 using a single print statement with a variable $version = 8.1;?

hard

A. print "PHP version: $version";

B. print 'PHP version: $version';

C. print PHP version: $version;

D. print ("PHP version: " . $version);

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand variable interpolation in quotes

   Double quotes allow variables inside text to be replaced; single quotes do not.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   print "PHP version: $version"; would work but misses semicolon; print 'PHP version: $version'; prints variable name literally; print PHP version: $version; is syntax error; print ("PHP version: " . $version); concatenates string and variable correctly with semicolon.

3. Final Answer:

   print ("PHP version: " . $version); -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Concatenate string and variable with dot and semicolon [OK]

Hint: Use dot (.) to join strings and variables in print [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using single quotes with variables expecting interpolation
• Omitting semicolon
• Not concatenating strings and variables properly