Php/docs/language.oop5.paamayim-nekudotayim
Scope Resolution Operator (::)
The Scope Resolution Operator (also called Paamayim Nekudotayim) or in simpler terms, the double colon, is a token that allows access to static, constant, and overridden properties or methods of a class.
When referencing these items from outside the class definition, use the name of the class.
As of PHP 5.3.0, it's possible to reference the class using a variable.
The variable's value can not be a keyword (e.g. self,
parent and static).
Paamayim Nekudotayim would, at first, seem like a strange choice for naming a double-colon. However, while writing the Zend Engine 0.5 (which powers PHP 3), that's what the Zend team decided to call it. It actually does mean double-colon - in Hebrew!
Example #1 :: from outside the class definition
<?phpclass MyClass { const CONST_VALUE = 'A constant value';}$classname = 'MyClass';echo $classname::CONST_VALUE; // As of PHP 5.3.0echo MyClass::CONST_VALUE;?>
Three special keywords self, parent and
static are used to access properties or methods from inside
the class definition.
Example #2 :: from inside the class definition
<?phpclass OtherClass extends MyClass{ public static $my_static = 'static var'; public static function doubleColon() { echo parent::CONST_VALUE . "\n"; echo self::$my_static . "\n"; }}$classname = 'OtherClass';$classname::doubleColon(); // As of PHP 5.3.0OtherClass::doubleColon();?>
When an extending class overrides the parents definition of a method, PHP will not call the parent's method. It's up to the extended class on whether or not the parent's method is called. This also applies to Constructors and Destructors, Overloading, and Magic method definitions.
Example #3 Calling a parent's method
<?phpclass MyClass{ protected function myFunc() { echo "MyClass::myFunc()\n"; }}class OtherClass extends MyClass{ // Override parent's definition public function myFunc() { // But still call the parent function parent::myFunc(); echo "OtherClass::myFunc()\n"; }}$class = new OtherClass();$class->myFunc();?>
See also some examples of static call trickery.
