Special purpose of ->

Languages like vb,java, and .net.DOT operator is used to access class functions but in php -> operator is used.What is its speciality?

Well in PHP the . (period) is used to join variables. Much like + in other langauges. Also i think that it is because PHP has take syntax from C++ and thats how class members are refered too.

But i think in C++ .operator isn't used?

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Originally Posted by slice

But i think in C++ .operator isn't used?

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Both . and -> are used, ones for when the class is a pointer i think. It been ages since used C++. Back on topic, as far as i know its just to save confusion between a class method and adding variables. If you want to know more about OOP in PHP read the announcement at the top of the forum, and visualAds PHP 5 OOP tutorial

The reason that . wasn't used is simply that it was already taken. (Perl legacy.)
The reason that -> was chosen as replacement is that it is used in C and C++.

slice:

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in php -> operator is used.What is its speciality?

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the symbols (->) are used to access Class Members.

If you have already defined a class (for example: TextBox) you can make
an instance of it using the keyword (new) and then use it, like so:

$box = new TextBoxSimple;
$box->display();

The result of evaluating this code will be to print an HTML fragment
containing a table definition enclosing the text my text.

(Not especially useful, but it’s a start.)