print_r
Prints a value in a readable form.
Syntax
print_r(mixed $value, bool $return = false): string|trueParameters
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| $value | mixed | The value to show. |
| $return | bool | Optional. `true` returns the text instead of printing it. |
Return value
string|true`true`, or a string when the second argument is set.
Examples
An array in a readable form:
<?php
print_r(['name' => 'Anna', 'tags' => ['php', 'sql']]);Output:
Array
(
[name] => Anna
[tags] => Array
(
[0] => php
[1] => sql
)
)Notes
Unlike var_dump(), types are not shown: 1, '1' and true look the same. On a page wrap the output in a pre tag, otherwise the line breaks vanish.
See also
- var_dump — Prints the type and the value — for debugging.
- var_export — Prints a value as PHP code.
- json_encode — Converts a value to a JSON string.
Related recipes
In the tutorial
- Errors and debugging — The kinds of PHP errors, error display settings, the log, turning warnings into exceptions and debugging techniques.