The print_r Function

The print_r function outputs information about a variable in a human-readable form. The first parameter is the variable to output, the second parameter (optional) - if set to true, returns the result as a string instead of outputting it.

Syntax

phpprint_r(mixed $value, bool $return = false);

Example

Let's output information about an array:

php<?php
  $arr = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];
  print_r($arr);
?>

Code execution result:

phpArray
(
  [0] => 1
  [1] => 2
  [2] => 3
  [3] => 4
  [4] => 5
)

Example

Get the result as a string instead of output:

php<?php
  $arr = ['a', 'b', 'c'];
  $res = print_r($arr, true);
  echo $res;
?>

Code execution result:

phpArray
(
  [0] => a
  [1] => b
  [2] => c
)

Example

Output information about a string:

php<?php
  $str = 'Hello world';
  print_r($str);
?>

Code execution result:

phpHello world

See Also