? PHP OOP __toString() Method

✨ Quick Overview

The __toString() magic method in PHP defines how an object behaves when it is treated as a string. It is automatically invoked during echo, print, or string concatenation.

? Key Concepts

• Automatically called when an object is converted to a string
• Must always return a string value
• Improves debugging and readability
• Commonly used in logging and display logic

? Syntax & Theory

The __toString() method is declared inside a class and must return a string. PHP throws a fatal error if any other type is returned.

// Demonstrating __toString() magic method
<?php
class Book {
    private $title;
    private $author;

    public function __construct($title, $author) {
        $this->title = $title;
        $this->author = $author;
    }

    public function __toString() {
        return "Book: " . $this->title . " by " . $this->author;
    }
}

$book = new Book("PHP for Beginners", "Meghraj");
echo $book; // Automatically calls __toString()
?>

? Live Output / Explanation

When the object $book is echoed, PHP automatically calls __toString() and outputs:

Book: PHP for Beginners by Meghraj

? Interactive Concept

Try concatenating the object with a string:

"Reading: " . $book — PHP still calls __toString() automatically.

? Use Cases

• Logging object data
• Displaying user-friendly object summaries
• Debugging complex objects
• Readable output in templates