[gwx]

This should be easy for you all. This is just a small chunk of code and should take no time to figure out for PHP experts. I'm also just starting out in PHP.

$counter = 1;
while ( $counter <= 12 )

{ print "$counter times 2 is ".($counter*2)."<br>";
$counter++
}

Basically, I don't know what the ".($counter^2)."<br>" thing does.

From what I understand..

First Line :
$counter is declared and set the value of "1"

Second Line :
Whenever the while statement expression is true. That is, whenver $counter contains a number that is smaller than or equal to 12, the below code block enclosed in {} will run on and on.

Third line :
I don't understand that. its like all gibberish to me. From what I currently know, it prints ( or outputs ) the value inside the " " parentheses. And counter*2 is definitely the variable $counter x 2 ( multplied by 2 )

Fourth Line:
Increment ( add 1 ) to counter

Last line :
End code block

[smallbeer]

Well mik, I mean gwx, here you go.

In PHP
$counter = 1
while ( $counter <= 12 )
{ print "$counter times 2 is ".($counter*2)."<br>";
$counter++
}
In Plain English
Counter = 1
If 1 is less than or equal to 12
Print - 1 times 2 is 2
Add 1 to Counter

Loop again...
Counter now equals 2
If 2 is less than or equal to 12 blah blah blah

[gwx]

Thanks smallbeer, but I still don't really get part of it.

PHP is asked to print "$counter times 2 is ".($counter*2)."<br>"

I understand that $counter would evaluate to 1

Thus, PHP is to print

1 times 2 is ".($counter)*2."<br>

What does the brackets enclosing $counter above do? I'm not sure of what the dot do, but its supposed to connect the left and right strings together. Therefore,

1 times 2 is "($counter)^2}"<br>

What is that that pair of " signs do? and what does the bracket tell php to do? Is it possible that the " " signs tell php that the stuff inside are to be evaluated ( is an expression )?

I'm so confused. Thnx in advnce.

[smallbeer]

I've been biting all weekend. Today I finally saw the light.

[gwx]

Saw the light???

[gwx]

Did I post to the wrong area or is everyone here just designers ( and not php programmers )

[sleepingfish]

Do a poll

[oli]

please dont encourage him

gwx , go here - http://www.programmingtalk.com , Ive put in a good word for you.

[gwx]

Originally Posted by oli

please dont encourage him

gwx , go here - http://www.programmingtalk.com , Ive put in a good word for you.

Hi. Thanks for the link!

[philster]

Originally Posted by gwx

Thanks smallbeer, but I still don't really get part of it.

PHP is asked to print "$counter times 2 is ".($counter*2)."<br>"

I understand that $counter would evaluate to 1

Thus, PHP is to print

1 times 2 is ".($counter)*2."<br>

What does the brackets enclosing $counter above do? I'm not sure of what the dot do, but its supposed to connect the left and right strings together. Therefore,

1 times 2 is "($counter)^2}"<br>

What is that that pair of " signs do? and what does the bracket tell php to do? Is it possible that the " " signs tell php that the stuff inside are to be evaluated ( is an expression )?

I'm so confused. Thnx in advnce.

The full stop allows you to add something to a string in PHP. So assuming $counter is 2...

PHP Code:

echo "$counter times 2 is ".($counter*2)."<br>" 


will actually write

2 times 2 is 4<br>

Effectively, everything inside the " " is echosed to the screen, but you obviously want to calculate the value of $counter*2 before you echo it, so you close the brackets, add the evaluated answer to the string (using the .) and then finish the string off with a <br> tag.

IF you try this:

$a = "Ruud";
$b = "Van";
$c = "Nistlerooy";

then

PHP Code:

echo $a.$b.$c; 


will display

RuudVanNistlerooy

whereas

PHP Code:

echo $a . " " . $b . $c; 


will display

Ruud VanNistlerooy

or

PHP Code:

echo $a . "<br>" . $b . "<br><br>" . $c; 


will display

Ruud
Van

Nistlerooy

Not explained in an even remotely eloquent fashion... but it's the best I can do. Friday avo, and Thursday night drinkies are starting to take their toll...

Phil

[dan]

phil, does the php actually evaluate the $counter in the string or just print it?

"$counter times 2 is ".($counter*2)."<br>"

to

$counter times 2 is 4 <br> ?

I know this is how it would work in Actionscritp / javascript, but it's been a while since I did any PHP - bit rusty.

[ThePhilster]

Originally Posted by dan

phil, does the php actually evaluate the $counter in the string or just print it?

"$counter times 2 is ".($counter*2)."<br>"

to

$counter times 2 is 4 <br> ?

I know this is how it would work in Actionscritp / javascript, but it's been a while since I did any PHP - bit rusty.

As far as I know (still getting into PHP myself at the mo) it needs to evaluate the statement inside the brackets before it can echo it...

[dan]

S'ok I tested it, and my result cuncured with yours.

I wasn't asking about the multiplied $counter but the $ counter contained in the first part of the statement -

"$counter times 2 is"

- anyways the answer is that it does evaluate it even though it's in a string and I was wrong.

yay me