PHP OOP - Destructor

PHP - The __destruct Function

A destructor is called when the object is destructed or the script is stopped or exited.

If you create a __destruct() function, PHP will automatically call this function at the end of the script.

Notice that the destruct function starts with two underscores (__)!

The example below has a __construct() function that is automatically called when you create an object from a class, and a __destruct() function that is automatically called at the end of the script:

< ?php
class Fruit {
  public $name;
  public $color;

  function __construct($name) {
    $this->name = $name; 
  }
  function __destruct() {
    echo "The fruit is {$this->name}."; 
  }
}

$apple = new Fruit("Apple");
?>

Another example:

< ?php
class Fruit {
  public $name;
  public $color;

  function __construct($name, $color) {
    $this->name = $name; 
    $this->color = $color; 
  }
  function __destruct() {
    echo "The fruit is {$this->name} and the color is {$this->color}."; 
  }
}

$apple = new Fruit("Apple", "red");
?>

Tip: As constructors and destructors helps reducing the amount of code, they are very useful!