Converting an integer to a string in PHP

Question

Is it possible to change an integer in PHP into a string?

Answer 1

The strval() function can be used to change an integer into a string.

From a maintenance standpoint, your goal is more clear than some of the other, more esoteric solutions. Naturally, it depends on the situation.

$var = 5;

// Inline variable parsing
echo "I'd like {$var} waffles"; // = I'd like 5 waffles

// String concatenation 
echo "I'd like ".$var." waffles"; // I'd like 5 waffles

// The two examples above have the same end value...
// ... And so do the two below

// Explicit cast 
$items = (string)$var; // $items === "5";

// Function call
$items = strval($var); // $items === "5";

I hope this helps you.