范围解析操作符 （::）

范围解析操作符（也可称作 Paamayim Nekudotayim）或者更简单地说是一对冒号，可以用于访问静态成员，类常量，还可以用于覆盖类中的属性和方法。

当在类定义之外引用到这些项目时，要使用类名。

自 PHP 5.3.0 起，可以通过变量来引用类，该变量的值不能是关键字（如 self，parent 和 static）。

把 Paamayim Nekudotayim 选作双冒号操作符的名字似乎有些奇怪。然而，这是 Zend 开发小组在写 Zend Engine 0.5（被用于 PHP 3 中）时所作出的决定。事实上这个词在希伯莱文就是双冒号的意思。

Example #1 在类的外部使用 :: 操作符

<?php
class MyClass {
    const CONST_VALUE = 'A constant value';
}

$classname = 'MyClass';
echo $classname::CONST_VALUE; // 自 PHP 5.3.0 起

echo MyClass::CONST_VALUE;
?>

self，parent 和 static 这三个特殊的关键字是用于在类定义的内部对其属性或方法进行访问的。

Example #2 在类定义内部使用 ::

<?php
class OtherClass extends MyClass
{
    public static $my_static = 'static var';

    public static function doubleColon() {
        echo parent::CONST_VALUE . "\n";
        echo self::$my_static . "\n";
    }
}

$classname = 'OtherClass';
echo $classname::doubleColon(); // 自 PHP 5.3.0 起

OtherClass::doubleColon();
?>

当一个子类覆盖其父类中的方法时，PHP 不会调用父类中已被覆盖的方法。是否调用父类的方法取决于子类。这种机制也作用于构造函数和析构函数，重载以及魔术方法。

Example #3 调用父类的方法

<?php
class MyClass
{
    protected function myFunc() {
        echo "MyClass::myFunc()\n";
    }
}

class OtherClass extends MyClass
{
    // 覆盖了父类的定义
    public function myFunc()
    {
        // 但还是可以调用父类中被覆盖的方法
        parent::myFunc();
        echo "OtherClass::myFunc()\n";
    }
}

$class = new OtherClass();
$class->myFunc();
?>

参见 伪变量的示例。

User Contributed Notes

1naveengiri at gmail dot com 15-May-2017 06:36
In PHP, you use the self keyword to access static properties and methods.

The problem is that you can replace $this->method() with self::method() anywhere, regardless if method() is declared static or not. So which one should you use?

Consider this code:

class ParentClass {
    function test() {
        self::who();    // will output 'parent'
        $this->who();    // will output 'child'
    }

    function who() {
        echo 'parent';
    }
}

class ChildClass extends ParentClass {
    function who() {
        echo 'child';
    }
}

$obj = new ChildClass();
$obj->test();
In this example, self::who() will always output 'parent', while $this->who() will depend on what class the object has.

Now we can see that self refers to the class in which it is called, while $this refers to the class of the current object.

So, you should use self only when $this is not available, or when you don't want to allow descendant classes to overwrite the current method.
jasverix at NOSPAM dot gmail dot com 03-Oct-2013 01:25
Just found out that using the class name may also work to call similar function of anchestor class.

<?php

class Anchestor {
  
   public $Prefix = '';

   private $_string =  'Bar';
    public function Foo() {
        return $this->Prefix.$this->_string;
    }
}

class MyParent extends Anchestor {
    public function Foo() {
         $this->Prefix = null;
        return parent::Foo().'Baz';
    }
}

class Child extends MyParent {
    public function Foo() {
        $this->Prefix = 'Foo';
        return Anchestor::Foo();
    }
}

$c = new Child();
echo $c->Foo(); //return FooBar, because Prefix, as in Anchestor::Foo()

?>

The Child class calls at Anchestor::Foo(), and therefore MyParent::Foo() is never run.
guy at syntheticwebapps dot com 15-Sep-2013 08:29
It seems as though you can use more than the class name to reference the static variables, constants, and static functions of a class definition from outside that class using the :: . The language appears to allow you to use the object itself.

For example:
class horse
{
   static $props = {'order'=>'mammal'};
}
$animal = new horse();
echo $animal::$props['order'];

// yields 'mammal'

This does not appear to be documented but I see it as an important convenience in the language. I would like to see it documented and supported as valid.

If it weren't supported officially, the alternative would seem to be messy, something like this:

$animalClass = get_class($animal);
echo $animalClass::$props['order'];
remy dot damour at ----no-spam---laposte dot net 05-May-2010 01:50
As of php 5.3.0, you can use 'static' as scope value as in below example (add flexibility to inheritance mechanism compared to 'self' keyword...)

<?php

class A {
    const C = 'constA';
    public function m() {
        echo static::C;
    }
}

class B extends A {
    const C = 'constB';
}

$b = new B();
$b->m();

// output: constB
?>
Theriault 05-Dec-2009 08:58
A class constant, class property (static), and class function (static) can all share the same name and be accessed using the double-colon.

<?php

class A {

    public static $B = '1'; # Static class variable.

    const B = '2'; # Class constant.
   
    public static function B() { # Static class function.
        return '3';
    }
   
}

echo A::$B . A::B . A::B(); # Outputs: 123
?>
wouter at interpotential dot com 09-Nov-2009 07:24
It's worth noting, that the mentioned variable can also be an object instance. This appears to be the easiest way to refer to a static function as high in the inheritance hierarchy as possible, as seen from the instance. I've encountered some odd behavior while using static::something() inside a non-static method.

See the following example code:

<?php
class FooClass {
    public function testSelf() {
        return self::t();
    }

    public function testThis() {
        return $this::t();
    }

    public static function t() {
        return 'FooClass';
    }

    function __toString() {
        return 'FooClass';
    }
}

class BarClass extends FooClass {
    public static function t() {
        return 'BarClass';
    }

}

$obj = new BarClass();
print_r(Array(
    $obj->testSelf(), $obj->testThis(),
));
?>

which outputs:

<pre>
Array
(
    [0] => FooClass
    [1] => BarClass
)
</pre>

As you can see, __toString has no effect on any of this. Just in case you were wondering if perhaps this was the way it's done.
giovanni at gargani dot it 02-Jun-2009 06:38
Well, a "swiss knife" couple of code lines to call parent method. The only limit is you can't use it with "by reference" parameters.
Main advantage you dont need to know the "actual" signature of your super class, you just need to know which arguments do you need

<?php
class someclass extends some superclass {
// usable for constructors
 function __construct($ineedthisone) {
  $args=func_get_args();
  /* $args will contain any argument passed to __construct.  
  * Your formal argument doesnt influence the way func_get_args() works
  */
  call_user_func_array(array('parent',__FUNCTION__),$args);
 }
// but this is not for __construct only
 function anyMethod() {
  $args=func_get_args();
  call_user_func_array(array('parent',__FUNCTION__),$args);
 }
  // Note: php 5.3.0 will even let you do
 function anyMethod() {
  //Needs php >=5.3.x
  call_user_func_array(array('parent',__FUNCTION__),func_get_args());
 }

}
?>
csaba dot dobai at php-sparcle dot com 03-Feb-2009 09:54
For the 'late static binding' topic I published a code below, that demonstrates a trick for how to setting variable value in the late class, and print that in the parent (or the parent's parent, etc.) class.

<?php

class cA
{
    /**
     * Test property for using direct default value
     */
    protected static $item = 'Foo';
   
    /**
     * Test property for using indirect default value
     */
    protected static $other = 'cA';
   
    public static function method()
    {
        print self::$item."\r\n"; // It prints 'Foo' on everyway... :(
        print self::$other."\r\n"; // We just think that, this one prints 'cA' only, but... :)
    }
   
    public static function setOther($val)
    {
        self::$other = $val; // Set a value in this scope.
    }
}

class cB extends cA
{
    /**
     * Test property with redefined default value
     */
    protected static $item = 'Bar';
   
    public static function setOther($val)
    {
        self::$other = $val;
    }
}

class cC extends cA
{
    /**
     * Test property with redefined default value
     */
    protected static $item = 'Tango';
   
    public static function method()
    {
        print self::$item."\r\n"; // It prints 'Foo' on everyway... :(
        print self::$other."\r\n"; // We just think that, this one prints 'cA' only, but... :)
    }
   
    /**
     * Now we drop redeclaring the setOther() method, use cA with 'self::' just for fun.
     */
}

class cD extends cA
{
    /**
     * Test property with redefined default value
     */
    protected static $item = 'Foxtrot';
   
    /**
     * Now we drop redeclaring all methods to complete this issue.
     */
}

cB::setOther('cB'); // It's cB::method()!
cB::method(); // It's cA::method()!
cC::setOther('cC'); // It's cA::method()!
cC::method(); // It's cC::method()!
cD::setOther('cD'); // It's cA::method()!
cD::method(); // It's cA::method()!

/**
 * Results: ->
 * Foo
 * cB
 * Tango
 * cC
 * Foo
 * cD
 *
 * What the hell?! :)
 */

?>
luka8088 at gmail dot com 24-Jan-2009 03:15
Little static trick to go around php strict standards ...
Function caller founds an object from which it was called, so that static method can alter it, replacement for $this in static function but without strict warnings :)

<?php

error_reporting(E_ALL + E_STRICT);

function caller () {
  $backtrace = debug_backtrace();
  $object = isset($backtrace[0]['object']) ? $backtrace[0]['object'] : null;
  $k = 1;
       
  while (isset($backtrace[$k]) && (!isset($backtrace[$k]['object']) || $object === $backtrace[$k]['object']))
    $k++;

  return isset($backtrace[$k]['object']) ? $backtrace[$k]['object'] : null;
}

class a {

  public $data = 'Empty';
 
  function set_data () {
    b::set();
  }

}

class b {

  static function set () {
    // $this->data = 'Data from B !';
    // using this in static function throws a warning ...
    caller()->data = 'Data from B !';
  }

}

$a = new a();
$a->set_data();
echo $a->data;

?>

Outputs: Data from B !

No warnings or errors !
barss dot dev at gmail dot com 01-Jul-2008 03:47
Nice trick with scope resolution
<?php
    class A
    {
        public function TestFunc()
        {
            return $this->test;
        }
    }

    class B
    {
        public $test;

        public function __construct()
        {
            $this->test = "Nice trick";
        }

        public function GetTest()
        {
            return A::TestFunc();
        }
    }

    $b = new B;
    echo $b->GetTest();
?>

will output

Nice trick
mongoose643 at gmail dot com 13-Feb-2007 12:11
This is a solution for those that still need to write code compatible with php 4 but would like to use the flexibility of static variables. PHP 4 does not support static variables within the class scope but it does support them within the scope of class methods. The following is a bit of a workaround to store data in static mode in php 4.

Note: This code also works in PHP 5.

(Tested on version 4.3.1+)

The tricky part is when using when arrays you have to do a bit of fancy coding to get or set individual elements in the array. The example code below should show you the basics of it though.

<?php

class StaticSample
{
    //Copyright Michael White (www.crestidg.com) 2007
    //You may use and modify this code but please keep this short copyright notice in tact.
    //If you modify the code you may comment the changes you make and append your own copyright
    //notice to mine. This code is not to be redistributed individually for sale but please use it as part
    //of your projects and applications - free or non-free.
   
   
    //Static workaround for php4 - even works with arrays - the trick is accessing the arrays.
    //I used the format s_varname for my methods that employ this workaround. That keeps it
    //similar to working with actual variables as much as possible.
    //The s_ prefix immediately identifies it as a static variable workaround method while
    //I'm looking thorugh my code.
    function &s_foo($value=null, $remove=null)
    {
        static $s_var;    //Declare the static variable.    The name here doesn't matter - only the name of the method matters.
       
        if($remove)
        {
            if(is_array($value))
            {
                if(is_array($s_var))
                {
                    foreach($value as $key => $data)
                    {
                        unset($s_var[$key]);
                    }
                }
            }
            else
            {
                //You can't just use unset() here because the static state of the variable will bring back the value next time you call the method.
                $s_var = null;
                unset($s_var);
            }
            //Make sure that you don't set the value over again.
            $value = null;
        }
        if($value)
        {
            if(is_array($value))
            {
                if(is_array($s_var))
                {
                    //$s_var = array_merge($s_var, $value);        //Doesn't overwrite values. This adds them - a property of the array_merge() function.
                    foreach($value as $key => $data)
                    {
                        $s_var[$key] = $data;    //Overwrites values.
                    }
                }
                else
                {
                    $s_var = $value;
                }
            }
            else
            {
                $s_var = $value;
            }
        }
       
        return $s_var;
    }
}

echo "Working with non-array values.<br>";
echo "Before Setting: ".StaticSample::s_foo();
echo "<br>";
echo "While Setting: ".StaticSample::s_foo("VALUE HERE");
echo "<br>";
echo "After Setting: ".StaticSample::s_foo();
echo "<br>";
echo "While Removing: ".StaticSample::s_foo(null, 1);
echo "<br>";
echo "After Removing: ".StaticSample::s_foo();
echo "<hr>";
echo "Working with array values<br>";
$array = array(0=>"cat", 1=>"dog", 2=>"monkey");
echo "Set an array value: ";
print_r(StaticSample::s_foo($array));
echo "<br>";

//Here you need to get all the values in the array then sort through or choose the one(s) you want.
$all_elements = StaticSample::s_foo();
$middle_element = $all_elements[1];
echo "The middle element: ".$middle_element;
echo "<br>";

$changed_array = array(1=>"big dog", 3=>"bat", "bird"=>"flamingo");
echo "Changing the value: ";
print_r(StaticSample::s_foo($changed_array));
echo "<br>";

//All you have to do here is create an array with the keys you want to erase in it.
//If you want to erase all keys then don't pass any array to the method.
$element_to_erase = array(3=>null);
echo "Erasing the fourth element: ";
$elements_left = StaticSample::s_foo($element_to_erase, 1);
print_r($elements_left);
echo "<br>";
echo "Enjoy!";

?>
developit at mail dot ru 27-Jan-2006 03:57
You use 'self' to access this class, 'parent' - to access parent class, and what will you do to access a parent of the parent? Or to access the very root class of deep class hierarchy? The answer is to use classnames. That'll work just like 'parent'. Here's an example to explain what I mean. Following code

<?php
class A
{
    protected $x = 'A';
    public function f()
    {
        return '['.$this->x.']';
    }
}

class B extends A
{
    protected $x = 'B';
    public function f()
    {
        return '{'.$this->x.'}';
    }
}

class C extends B
{
    protected $x = 'C';
    public function f()
    {
        return '('.$this->x.')'.parent::f().B::f().A::f();
    }
}

$a = new A();
$b = new B();
$c = new C();

print $a->f().'<br/>';
print $b->f().'<br/>';
print $c->f().'<br/>';
?>

will output

[A] -- {B} -- (C){C}{C}[C]