PHP print_r function

print_r

(PHP 4, PHP 5)

print_r --
Prints human-readable information about a variable
Descriptionbool print_r ( mixed expression [, bool return] )

Note:
The return parameter was added in PHP 4.3.0

print_r() displays information about a variable
in a way that's readable by humans. If given a string,
integer or float, the value itself will be
printed. If given an array,
values will be presented in a format that shows keys and
elements. Similar notation is used for objects.
print_r(), var_dump() and
var_export() will
also show protected and private properties of objects with PHP 5.

Remember that print_r() will move the array
pointer to the end. Use reset() to bring
it back to beginning.

<pre>

</pre>

The above example will output:

<pre>
Array
(
[a] => apple
[b] => banana
[c] => Array
(
[0] => x
[1] => y
[2] => z
)
)
</pre>

If you would like to capture the output of print_r(),
use the return parameter. If this parameter is set
to TRUE, print_r() will return its output, instead of
printing it (which it does by default).

Note: This function internally uses the
output buffering with this parameter so it can not be used inside
ob_start() callback function.

Example 1. return parameter example

Note:
If you need to capture the output of print_r() with a
version of PHP prior to 4.3.0, use the output-control functions.

Note:
Prior to PHP 4.0.4, print_r() will continue forever
if given an array or object that
contains a direct or indirect reference to itself. An example
is print_r($GLOBALS) because
$GLOBALS is itself a global variable that
contains a reference to itself.

See also ob_start(),
var_dump() and
var_export().