Understanding self and $this in PHP: When to Use Each

In PHP, understanding when to use self versus $this is crucial for correctly referencing the context within a class—whether it pertains to the current instance or the class itself. This distinction is especially important in object-oriented programming as it affects how properties and methods are accessed and manipulated.

self: Referencing the Current Class

• Usage Context: self is used to refer to the current class itself, not an instance of the class. It’s typically used in static methods or when referring to static properties.
• Keyword Type: Non-variable (does not use a dollar sign $).
• Common Use Cases:
  • Accessing static properties.
  • Calling static methods.
  • Referring to constants within the class.

Example of self Usage:

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