🌱 Introduction

PHP Operators are the tools that actually make PHP do work. Without operators, PHP would only store data but never process it. Every calculation, condition, login check, and decision in PHP depends on operators.

This topic explains how PHP performs calculations, compares values, and combines conditions. Once you understand operators clearly, writing logic becomes natural instead of confusing. This is one of those chapters that directly improves problem-solving skills.

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📘 PHP Operators

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➕ Arithmetic Operators in PHP

Explanation in simple English

Arithmetic operators perform mathematical calculations.

Why this concept exists

Programs need to calculate totals, scores, prices, and results.

Where and how it is used

Used in billing systems, counters, and calculations.

Common Arithmetic Operators

Operator	Meaning
+	Addition
-	Subtraction
*	Multiplication
/	Division
%	Modulus

Example

<?php
$a = 10;
$b = 3;

echo $a + $b; // Addition
echo $a % $b; // Remainder
?>

Key exam points

• % gives remainder
• Division may return float

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🧾 Assignment Operators in PHP

Explanation in simple English

Assignment operators assign values to variables.

Why this concept exists

Variables need values to store results.

Where and how it is used

Used everywhere while storing results.

Common Assignment Operators

Operator	Example	Meaning
=	$a = 10	Assign
+=	$a += 5	Add and assign
-=	$a -= 2	Subtract and assign

Example

<?php
$x = 5;
$x += 3; // x = x + 3
echo $x;
?>

Key exam points

• += combines operation and assignment
• Saves lines of code

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⚖️ Comparison Operators in PHP

Explanation in simple English

Comparison operators compare two values and return true or false.

Why this concept exists

Programs must make decisions.

Where and how it is used

Used in conditions like login checks and validations.

Common Comparison Operators

Operator	Meaning
==	Equal
===	Identical
!=	Not equal
<	Less than
>	Greater than

Example

<?php
$a = 10;
$b = "10";

var_dump($a == $b);  // true
var_dump($a === $b); // false
?>

Key exam points

• == checks value
• === checks value and type

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🔐 Logical Operators in PHP

Explanation in simple English

Logical operators combine multiple conditions.

Why this concept exists

Real decisions depend on more than one condition.

Where and how it is used

Used in authentication, permissions, validations.

Common Logical Operators

Operator	Meaning
&&	AND
`
!	NOT

Example

<?php
$age = 20;
$hasID = true;

if ($age >= 18 && $hasID) {
    echo "Allowed";
}
?>

Key exam points

• && needs both conditions true
• || needs one true

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🔄 Increment and Decrement Operators

Explanation in simple English

These operators increase or decrease values by 1.

Why this concept exists

Counters and loops need fast value changes.

Where and how it is used

Used in loops and counters.

Example

<?php
$i = 5;
echo ++$i; // Pre-increment
?>

Key exam points

• ++$i increments before use
• $i++ increments after use

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❓ Conditional (Ternary) Operator

Explanation in simple English

Short form of if-else.

Why this concept exists

Simplifies small decisions.

Where and how it is used

Used for quick value checks.

Example

<?php
$age = 17;
$result = ($age >= 18) ? "Adult" : "Minor";
echo $result;
?>

Key exam points

• Uses ? :
• Replaces simple if-else

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🔍 String Operators in PHP

Explanation in simple English

Used to join strings.

Why this concept exists

Text data often needs to be combined.

Where and how it is used

Used in messages, output, HTML.

Example

<?php
$a = "Hello";
$b = "PHP";
echo $a . " " . $b;
?>

Key exam points

• . concatenates strings
• .= appends string

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🌍 Real-Life or Practical Use

PHP operators decide whether a user can log in, calculate product prices, validate forms, and control page flow. Without operators, PHP cannot think or decide. Every real-world PHP project relies heavily on operator logic.

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📝 Exam-Focused Summary

• Arithmetic operators perform calculations
• Assignment operators store values
• Comparison operators return true or false
• Logical operators combine conditions
• Increment operators change values by 1
• Ternary operator is shorthand if-else

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🎯 Conclusion

PHP Operators are the thinking engine of PHP. Mastering them improves logic, confidence, and coding speed. This topic directly connects to conditions, loops, functions, and real project development.

Strong operator knowledge separates beginners from problem solvers. Practice them well, and PHP starts making sense.