PHP Classes and Objects

Relax. We'll talk through this in plain words — no textbook voice.

What you'll walk away with

Declare a class
Create an object
Use constructors and visibility

Let's keep it simple

A class is a blueprint that bundles together data and behavior. Property visibility is controlled with public/private/protected, and the constructor accepts the initial state an object needs.

php

<?php
class Course
{
    public function __construct(
        private string $title,
        private int $lessons
    ) {}

    public function summary(): string
    {
        return "$this->title — $this->lessons lessons";
    }
}

$course = new Course('PHP', 30);
echo $course->summary();

You should see

PHP — 30 lessons

Try it yourself

Build a BankAccount class with name and balance, and make its deposit() method accept only positive amounts.

PHP Classes and Objects — The Basics — PHP

Easy traps

Reading a private property directly from outside the class
Using :: instead of -> when calling an object method

Exercise

Build a BankAccount class with name and balance, and make its deposit() method accept only positive amounts.

You'll know it worked when: PHP — 30 lessons