How Do Classes and Objects Differ in PHP? [Explained with Example]
Category: Oop
In PHP Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), understanding the difference between classes and objects is essential for writing clean, reusable, and scalable code.
📌 Example of a Class in PHP:
class Car {
public $brand;
public function startEngine() {
return "Engine started";
}
}
✅ This is just a definition — it doesn't do anything until you create an object from it.
✅ What is an Object in PHP?
An object is an instance of a class. It is created using the new keyword and represents a real-world entity with actual values assigned to its properties.
📌 Example of Creating an Object:
$myCar = new Car(); // Create object from the Car class
$myCar->brand = "Toyota"; // Set property value
echo $myCar->startEngine(); // Call method
✅ Now $myCar is an object with a real brand and behaviors defined in the class.
