What is the PHP __get() and _

The PHP __get() and __set() methods are the magic methods. So these methods will run automatically, but when? let’s see –

PHP __get() method

The __get() method will run when you try to access a property that does not exist or is private or protected.

In the following Test class, you can see there is the $name property that is private, and we trying to access through an object ($obj).

<?php
class Test{
    private $name = "John";
}

$obj = new Test();
// trying to access the private property.
echo $obj->name;

Fatal error: Cannot access private property.

After defining the __get() method, you will not see the default error message, now __get() will handle this error.

The __get($name) method takes a parameter that gives you the name of the property $obj wants to access.

<?php
class Test{
    private $name = "John";

    function __get($var_name){
        return "Sorry, you cannot access the \"{$var_name}\" property.";        
    }
}

$obj = new Test();
echo $obj->name;

Sorry, you cannot access the "name" property.

Some examples of the __get() method

It is totally up to how you can use it.

<?php
class Test{
    private $name = "John";

    function __get($var_name){
        if(property_exists(__CLASS__,$var_name)){
            return $this->{$var_name}; 
        }
        return "\nSorry, the property \"{$var_name}\" does not exist.\n";        
    }
}

$obj = new Test();
echo $obj->name;
echo $obj->apple;

John
Sorry, the property "apple" does not exist.

<?php
class Test{
    private $user = [
        "name" => "John",
        "age" => 22,
        "email" => "[email protected]",
        "gender" => "Male"
    ];

    function __get($var_name){
        if(isset($this->user[$var_name])){
            return $this->user[$var_name]; 
        }
        return "\nSorry, the property \"{$var_name}\" does not exist.\n";        
    }
}

$obj = new Test();
echo $obj->name;
echo $obj->phone;
echo $obj->email;

John
Sorry, the property "phone" does not exist.
[email protected]

PHP __set() method

The __set() method will run automatically when you assign value through an object to a private/protected property or non-existing property.

The __set($var_name, $value) takes two parameters that give you the variable name and the value of the variable.

<?php
class Test{
    private $name = "John";

    function __set($var_name, $value){     
        echo 'Variable => "'.$var_name.'" & Value => "'.$value.'"';
    }
}

$obj = new Test();
$obj->name = "Raju";