print_r

Description

print_r() displays information about a variable in a way that's readable by humans. If given a string, integer or float, the value itself will be printed. If given an array, values will be presented in a format that shows keys and elements. Similar notation is used for objects.

Remember that print_r() will move the array pointer to the end. Use reset() to bring it back to beginning.

<pre>
<?php
    $a = array ('a' => 'apple', 'b' => 'banana', 'c' => array ('x','y','z'));
    print_r ($a);
?>
</pre>

<pre>
Array
(
    [a] => apple
    [b] => banana
    [c] => Array
        (
            [0] => x
            [1] => y
            [2] => z
        )
)
</pre>

If you would like to capture the output of print_r(), use the return parameter. If this parameter is set to TRUE, print_r() will return its output, instead of printing it (which it does by default).

Example 1. return parameter example <?php $b = array ('m' => 'monkey', 'foo' => 'bar', 'x' => array ('x', 'y', 'z')); $results = print_r ($b, true); //$results now contains output from print_r ?>

See also ob_start(), var_dump() and var_export().