Combining variables

Learn to combine two variables and assign the result to a new variable.

Combining variables: .

To combine two variables or values, use the dot . operator. This is called concatenation.

Example: $firstName = "Alex"; and $lastName = "Smith";. echo $firstName . $lastName; prints AlexSmith.

To add a space between them, concatenate a space string: echo $firstName . " " . $lastName; prints Alex Smith.

Each piece stays on the same line; echo produces a single output.

Arithmetic with number variables

With number variables you can add, subtract, multiply and divide: +, -, *, /.

Example: $price = 100; and $tax = 20;. $total = $price + $tax; makes $total hold 120.

For multiplication use $price * 2;, for division use $price / 4;. You assign the result to a new variable and print it with echo.

PHP computes the result automatically; you only need to assign and print it.

Exercise Combine first and last name

Assign "Alex" to $firstName and "Smith" to $lastName. Combine them with . to print Alex Smith; put a space between. End the line with \n.

Show example solution

Write echo $firstName . " " . $lastName . "\n";.
Example solution:
<?php
$firstName = "Alex";
$lastName = "Smith";
echo $firstName . " " . $lastName . "\n";

Test yourself

What does $a = "Hello "; $b = "World"; echo $a . $b; print?
```
$a = "Hello ";
$b = "World";
echo $a . $b;
```
- Hello
- World
- Hello World
- HelloWorld
Show answer

Hello World — Correct! . concatenates; "Hello " + "World" = "Hello World".

Add the concatenation operator

echo $firstName ____ $lastName;

Show answer

echo $firstName . $lastName;

Match each operator to its meaning

.

concatenates
+

adds
-

subtracts
++

increases by one

Next lesson: Checking variables with isset() and unset()

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