✨ PHP OOP Magic Methods

? Quick Overview

Magic methods in PHP are special predefined methods that begin with double underscores __. PHP automatically calls these methods in response to specific object-related actions.

? Key Concepts

• Magic methods respond to object lifecycle events.
• They allow interception of property access and method calls.
• Used heavily in frameworks, ORMs, and dynamic systems.

? Syntax & Theory

Magic methods must be declared as public and follow strict naming conventions. They are not called directly; PHP invokes them internally when required.

? Code Example

// Demonstration of common PHP magic methods
// Triggered when setting inaccessible properties
public function __set($name, $value) {
echo "Setting '$name' to '$value'
";
$this->data[$name] = $value;
}

// Triggered when accessing inaccessible properties
public function __get($name) {
return $this->data[$name] ?? null;
}

// Triggered when object is used like a function
public function __invoke($msg) {
echo "Object invoked with message: $msg
";
}

// Triggered when object is treated as a string
public function __toString() {
return "Demo object as string";
}
}

$obj = new Demo();
$obj->name = "Alice";
echo $obj->name;
echo "
".$obj;
$obj("Hello!");
?>

? Live Output / Explanation

? Common Magic Methods

• __construct() – Runs when object is created.
• __destruct() – Runs when object is destroyed.
• __get() – Handles inaccessible properties.
• __set() – Assigns inaccessible properties.
• __call() – Handles inaccessible methods.
• __callStatic() – Handles inaccessible static methods.
• __isset() – Triggered by isset().
• __unset() – Triggered by unset().
• __sleep() – Before serialization.
• __wakeup() – After unserialization.
• __clone() – When cloning objects.
• __invoke() – When object is called as function.

? Use Cases

• Dynamic property handling
• Lazy loading data
• Proxy and decorator patterns
• Framework-level abstractions