PHP method_exists() Function

The PHP method_exists() function is used to check if the given method exists in the specified object_or_class. It returns true if the given method exists for the given object_or_class, false otherwise.

Syntax

method_exists(object_or_class, method)

Parameters

`object_or_class`	`Required.` Specify the class name or an object of the class to check for.
`method`	`Required.` Specify the name of the method.

Return Value

Returns true if the given method has been defined for the given object_or_class, false otherwise.

Example: method_exists() example

The example below shows the usage of method_exists() function.

<?php
class myClass {
  public $mine;
  private $xpto;
  static protected $test;

  static function test() {
    echo "Hello World.";
  }
}

var_dump(method_exists('myClass', 'mine'));
var_dump(method_exists('myClass', 'xpto'));
var_dump(method_exists('myClass', 'bar'));
var_dump(method_exists('myClass', 'test')); 
?>

The output of the above code will be:

bool(false)
bool(false)
bool(false)
bool(true)

Example: method_exists() example

Consider one more example which illustrates on usage of method_exists() function.

<?php
$directory = new Directory('.');

var_dump(method_exists($directory,'read'));
var_dump(method_exists('Directory','read'));
?>

The output of the above code will be:

bool(true)
bool(true)

❮ PHP Classes/Objects Reference