print_r() displays information about a variable
in a way that's readable by humans.
print_r(), var_dump() and
var_export() will
also show protected and private properties of objects with PHP 5.
Static class members will not be shown.
Remember that print_r() will move the array
pointer to the end. Use reset() to bring
it back to beginning.
Parameters
expression
The expression to be printed.
return
If you would like to capture the output of print_r(),
use the return
parameter. If this parameter is set
to TRUE, print_r() will return its output, instead of
printing it (which it does by default).
Return Values
If given a string, integer or float,
the value itself will be printed. If given an array, values
will be presented in a format that shows keys and elements. Similar
notation is used for objects.
Notes
Note: This function uses internal output buffering
with this parameter so it can not be used inside an
ob_start() callback function.
ChangeLog
Version
Description
4.3.0
The return
parameter was added. If you need to
capture the output of print_r() with an older
version of PHP prior, use the
output-control functions.
4.0.4
Prior to PHP 4.0.4, print_r() will continue forever
if given an array or object that
contains a direct or indirect reference to itself. An example
is print_r($GLOBALS) because
$GLOBALS is itself a global variable that
contains a reference to itself.