Introduction
In this article, I will explain the "var_dump" variable handling function in PHP. The var_dump() function dumps information about a variable. It displays structured data concerning one or additional expressions that feature its kind and value. Arrays and objects are explored recursively with values indented to point out structure.
Syntax
var_dump(variable);
Parameter
Variable The variable you want to dump
No value is returned.
Example 1
  1. <?php
  2. $a = array(1, 2, array("a", "b", "c"));
  3. var_dump($a);
  4. ?>
Example 2
  1. <?php
  2. $a = array(1, 2, array("a", "b", "c"));
  3. var_dump($a);
  4. ?>
  5. <?php
  6. $var1=678;
  7. $var2="a678";
  8. $var3="678";
  9. $var4="W3resource.com";
  10. $var5=698.99;
  11. $var6=+125689.66;
  12. echo var_dump($var1)."<br>";
  13. echo var_dump($var2)."<br>";
  14. echo var_dump($var3)."<br>";
  15. echo var_dump($var4)."<br>";
  16. echo var_dump($var5)."<br>";
  17. echo var_dump($var6)."<br>";
  18. ?>
Example 3
  1. <?php
  2. $b = 3.1;
  3. $c = true;
  4. var_dump($b, $c);
  5. ?>
var_dump() vs print_r()
The var_dump() function is for structure information and the print_r() function shows readable information about variables.
Example 1
  1. <?php
  2. $name = array("Vinod", "Sharad", "Nitin", "Manish");
  3. var_dump($name);
  4. ?>
Example 2
  1. <?php
  2. $name = array("Vinod", "Sharad", "Nitin", "Manish");
  3. print_r($name);
  4. ?>