PHP error types and levels - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

What is the output of this PHP code with error reporting?

Consider the following PHP code snippet. What will be the output when run with error reporting set to E_ALL?

PHP

<?php
error_reporting(E_ALL);
ini_set('display_errors', 1);

// Undefined variable usage
echo $undefinedVar;
?>

A Warning: Undefined variable: undefinedVar in /path/to/script.php on line 6

B Fatal error: Undefined variable: undefinedVar in /path/to/script.php on line 6

C Notice: Undefined variable: undefinedVar in /path/to/script.php on line 6

D No output, script runs silently

💡 Hint

Undefined variables trigger notices, not warnings or fatal errors.

In PHP, accessing an undefined variable triggers a Notice level error, not a Warning or Fatal error. With E_ALL reporting enabled, this Notice is displayed.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

What error level is triggered by this PHP code?

What type of error does the following PHP code produce?

PHP

<?php
// Division by zero
$result = 10 / 0;
?>

A Parse error: Division by zero

B Warning: Division by zero

C Fatal error: Division by zero

D Notice: Division by zero

💡 Hint

Division by zero is a runtime warning, not a fatal error.

Dividing by zero in PHP triggers a Warning level error, allowing the script to continue running.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

What error does this PHP code produce?

What error message will this PHP code output?

PHP

<?php
// Call to undefined function
undefinedFunction();
?>

A Parse error: Call to undefined function undefinedFunction()

B Warning: Call to undefined function undefinedFunction()

C Notice: Call to undefined function undefinedFunction()

D Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function undefinedFunction()

💡 Hint

Calling a function that does not exist causes a fatal error.

In PHP 7+, calling an undefined function triggers a fatal error (Error exception), stopping script execution.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

What error level is triggered by this PHP code?

What error level does this PHP code produce?

PHP

<?php
// Including a non-existent file
include('missingfile.php');
?>

A Warning: include(missingfile.php): failed to open stream

B Fatal error: include(missingfile.php): failed to open stream

C Notice: include(missingfile.php): failed to open stream

D Parse error: include(missingfile.php): failed to open stream

💡 Hint

include() triggers a warning if the file is missing, but script continues.

The include statement triggers a Warning if the file is missing, allowing the script to continue. require() would cause a fatal error.

❓ Predict Output

expert

What is the output of this PHP error handling code?

What will be the output of this PHP code snippet?

PHP

<?php
error_reporting(E_ERROR | E_PARSE);
ini_set('display_errors', 1);

// Trigger notice
echo $var;

// Trigger warning
include('nofile.php');

// Trigger fatal error
undefinedFunc();
?>

A Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function undefinedFunc()

B

Notice: Undefined variable: var
Warning: include(nofile.php): failed to open stream

C No output, all errors suppressed

D

Warning: include(nofile.php): failed to open stream
Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function undefinedFunc()

💡 Hint

Only E_ERROR and E_PARSE are reported; notices and warnings are ignored.

With error_reporting set to E_ERROR | E_PARSE, notices and warnings are not shown. The fatal error from calling undefinedFunc() is displayed.