What is the difference between using self:: and $this-> to access class variables in PHP?

Using `self::` accesses static properties or methods in a class, while `$this->` accesses instance properties or methods. If you want to access a static property or method within a class, you should use `self::`. If you want to access an instance property or method within a class, you should use `$this->`. 

class Example {
    public static $staticProperty = 'static property';
    public $instanceProperty = 'instance property';

    public static function staticMethod() {
        return self::$staticProperty;
    }

    public function instanceMethod() {
        return $this->instanceProperty;
    }
}

echo Example::staticMethod(); // Output: static property
$example = new Example();
echo $example->instanceMethod(); // Output: instance property

Keywords

self:: $this-> class variables PHP access

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