What is var_dump() in PHP? | PHP var_dump() Function with Examples

var_dump() in PHP is a powerful built-in function used to display structured information (type and value) about one or more variables. It’s especially useful for debugging complex data types like arrays and objects during development.

✅ Why Use var_dump() in PHP?

When you're working with PHP, understanding what’s stored inside your variables is crucial. The var_dump() function:

• Shows the data type of the variable (e.g., string, int, array, object).
• Displays the value of the variable.
• Recursively prints information for nested arrays and objects.
• Helps identify null values, boolean values, and more.

📌 Keyword tip for SEO: Use terms like “debug PHP variable”, “print array in PHP”, or “PHP variable dump” to target common developer queries.

🧪 Syntax of var_dump() in PHP

var_dump(variable1, variable2, ...);

You can pass multiple variables to this function, and it will output the information for each one.

🧾 Examples of var_dump() in PHP

Example 1: Dumping a Simple String

<?php
$name = "John Doe";
var_dump($name);
?>

Output:

string(8) "John Doe"

Example 2: Dumping an Integer and Float

<?php
$age = 30;
$height = 5.9;
var_dump($age);
var_dump($height);
?>

Output:

int(30)
float(5.9)

Example 3: Dumping an Array

<?php
$colors = array("red", "green", "blue");
var_dump($colors);
?>

Output:

array(3) {
  [0]=>
  string(3) "red"
  [1]=>
  string(5) "green"
  [2]=>
  string(4) "blue"
}

Example 4: Dumping an Object

<?php
class Car {
    public $brand = "Toyota";
    public $year = 2022;
}

$car = new Car();
var_dump($car);
?>

Output:

object(Car)#1 (2) {
  ["brand"]=>
  string(6) "Toyota"
  ["year"]=>
  int(2022)
}

🛠️ When Should You Use var_dump()?

• While debugging during development
• To inspect variable types and values
• To analyze complex arrays or objects
• When dealing with type conversion issues

⚠️ Important Notes

• var_dump() outputs directly to the browser or terminal; it's not suitable for production code.
• For better formatting in browsers, wrap it with <pre>:

<pre><?php var_dump($variable); ?></pre>