PHP If Else and Match

PHP if else statements let your program make decisions. You test a condition, and PHP runs a block of code only when that condition is true. PHP 8 also adds the match expression, a cleaner alternative to switch.

If, Elseif and Else

PHP checks each condition from top to bottom and runs only the first block that matches.

<?php
$score = 72;

if ($score >= 80) {
    echo "Grade A";
} elseif ($score >= 60) {
    echo "Grade B";
} else {
    echo "Try again";
}

Grade B

Combining Conditions

<?php
$age = 25;
$hasTicket = true;

if ($age >= 18 && $hasTicket) {
    echo "Welcome in\n";
}
if (!$hasTicket || $age < 18) {
    echo "Access denied";
} else {
    echo "Enjoy the show";
}

Welcome in
Enjoy the show

The Switch Statement

switch compares one value against many cases. Do not forget break, or PHP keeps running the following cases (fall-through). switch uses loose comparison (==).

<?php
$day = "sat";
switch ($day) {
    case "sat":
    case "sun":
        echo "Weekend";
        break;
    default:
        echo "Weekday";
}

Weekend

The PHP Match Expression

match returns a value, uses strict comparison (===), needs no break, and throws an UnhandledMatchError if nothing matches and there is no default. For most new code it is the better choice.

<?php
$status = 404;
$message = match ($status) {
    200, 201 => 'Success',
    404 => 'Not found',
    500 => 'Server error',
    default => 'Unknown',
};
echo $message;

Not found

Match With Conditions

Use match(true) to test ranges in a compact way.

<?php
$temp = 31;
echo match (true) {
    $temp < 10 => 'Cold',
    $temp < 25 => 'Mild',
    default => 'Hot',
};

Hot

Alternative Syntax in Templates

Inside HTML templates, PHP offers a colon syntax that is easier to read: if (...): ... elseif (...): ... else: ... endif;. The same exists for foreach and while.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between match and switch in PHP?

match is an expression that returns a value, uses strict === comparison and needs no break. switch is a statement with loose comparison and fall-through.

Is it elseif or else if in PHP?

Both work with curly braces. With the colon alternative syntax only elseif is valid, so elseif is the common style.

Can I use match without a default?

Yes, but if no arm matches PHP throws an UnhandledMatchError, so add default unless every possible value is covered.