PHP ternary operator vs null coalescing operator

Question

Can someone explain the differences between ternary operator shorthand (?:) and null coalescing operator (??) in PHP?

When do they behave d

Answer 1

Both of them behave differently when it comes to dynamic data handling.

If the variable is empty ( '' ) the null coalescing will treat the variable as true but the shorthand ternary operator won't. And that's something to have in mind.

$a = NULL;
$c = '';

print $a ?? '1b';
print "\n";

print $a ?: '2b';
print "\n";

print $c ?? '1d';
print "\n";

print $c ?: '2d';
print "\n";

print $e ?? '1f';
print "\n";

print $e ?: '2f';

And the output:

1b
2b

2d
1f

Notice: Undefined variable: e in /in/ZBAa1 on line 21
2f

Link: https://3v4l.org/ZBAa1