PHP Variable Handling strval() Function

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The PHP Variable Handling strval() function is used to convert a variable into a string. It accepts any value, including numbers, objects and null, and returns a string. This function does not change the value; it simply converts it to a string representation.

But it does not format numbers. Use numeric formatting algorithms like sprintf() or number_format(). You cannot use strval() with arrays or objects that do not support the __toString() method.

Syntax

Below is the syntax of the PHP Variable Handling strval() function −

string strval ( mixed $value )

Parameters

This function accepts $value parameter which is the variable that is being converted to a string. Value may be any scalar type or an object that implements the __toString() method. You cannot use strval() on arrays or on objects that do not implement the __toString() method.

Return Value

The strval() function returns string value of value. This function does not format the returned value.

PHP Version

First introduced in core PHP 4, the strval() function continues to function easily in PHP 5, PHP 7, and PHP 8.

Example 1

In this basic example, we use the PHP Variable Handling strval() function to convert an integer (123) into a string. The result will be the string "123". This shows how simple values like integers are easily converted to strings using the function.

<?php
  // Convert an integer to a string using strval()
  $number = 123;
  $number_string = strval($number);
  echo $number_string; 
?>

Output

Here is the outcome of the following code −

123

Example 2

This example shows how a floating-point number is turned into a string. The strval() function transforms a float to a string, which can then be used in string operations or displayed.

<?php
  // Convert a float to a string using strval()
  $float_number = 12.34;
  $float_string = strval($float_number);
  echo $float_string;
?> 

Output

This will generate the below output −

12.34

Example 3

In this example we will define a class called MyClass and use the __toString() function to generate a custom string. The strval() function converts the object to a string, showing how objects that support __toString() can be changed using strval().

<?php
  // Create an object
  class MyClass {
    public function __toString() {
        return "Hello, this is a custom object!";
    }
  }

  $obj = new MyClass();
  $obj_string = strval($obj);
  echo $obj_string;
?> 

Output

This will create the below output −

Hello, this is a custom object!

Example 4

In the following example, we are using the strval() function to demonstrate all the use cases of the function.

<?php
  $a = "Tutorialspoint";
  var_dump(strval($a)) ;
  echo "<br>";
  $b = 40;
  var_dump(strval($b));
  echo "<br>";
  $c = NULL;
  var_dump(strval($c));
  echo "<br>";
  $d = array("a", "b", "c");
  var_dump(strval($d)); 
  echo "<br>";
  $e = '';
  var_dump(strval($e));
  echo "<br>";
?>

Output

This will produce following result −

string(14) "Tutorialspoint"
string(2) "40"
string(0) ""
string(5) "Array"
string(0) ""