__call and __callStatic in PHP

Introduction

These special methods let a PHP class handle calls to methods that don't exist. It helps catch mistakes or add flexible behavior.

You want to handle calls to methods that are not defined in your class.

You want to create flexible classes that can respond to many method names dynamically.

You want to log or debug when someone tries to call a missing method.

You want to create proxy or wrapper classes that forward calls to other objects.

You want to provide default behavior for undefined static or instance methods.

Syntax

PHP

public function __call(string $name, array $arguments) {
    // code to handle instance method calls
}

public static function __callStatic(string $name, array $arguments) {
    // code to handle static method calls
}

__call handles calls to missing instance methods.

__callStatic handles calls to missing static methods.

Examples

This shows __call catching a call to a missing instance method hello.

PHP

<?php
class Example {
    public function __call($name, $arguments) {
        echo "Called instance method '$name' with arguments: " . implode(', ', $arguments) . "\n";
    }
}

$obj = new Example();
$obj->hello('world');

This shows __callStatic catching a call to a missing static method greet.

PHP

<?php
class Example {
    public static function __callStatic($name, $arguments) {
        echo "Called static method '$name' with arguments: " . implode(', ', $arguments) . "\n";
    }
}

Example::greet('everyone');

Sample Program

This program shows both __call and __callStatic in action. When calling missing instance method foo, __call runs. When calling missing static method bar, __callStatic runs.

PHP

<?php
class Magic {
    public function __call($name, $arguments) {
        echo "Instance method '$name' called with arguments: " . implode(', ', $arguments) . "\n";
    }

    public static function __callStatic($name, $arguments) {
        echo "Static method '$name' called with arguments: " . implode(', ', $arguments) . "\n";
    }
}

$obj = new Magic();
$obj->foo('apple', 'banana');
Magic::bar('carrot');

Important Notes

These methods only run when the called method does not exist or is inaccessible.

Use __call for instance methods and __callStatic for static methods.

Arguments are passed as an array, so you can handle any number of parameters.

Summary

__call handles missing instance method calls.

__callStatic handles missing static method calls.

They help make classes flexible and catch unexpected method calls.