What does :: mean in php? [duplicate]

This question already has answers here: 开发者_如何学Python Closed 11 years ago.

Possible Duplicate:

what is the “::” notation in php used for?

I noticed this code while modifying a friends code and noticed this piece of code: TestPages::LoadMenu();

what does :: mean in php?

A great answer would mean a lot.

Thanks!

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It's the 'Scope Resolution Operator'.

The Scope Resolution Operator (also called Paamayim Nekudotayim) or in simpler terms, the double colon, is a token that allows access to static, constant, and overridden properties or methods of a class.

http://php.net/manual/en/language.oop5.paamayim-nekudotayim.php

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In layman terms it is used to call static Methods of a Class.

In your example, LoadMenu() is a static function of the TestPages class.

This means that you do not have to create an instance of a TestPages to call LoadMenu()

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It is used to access static methods of class, static variables and constants

Read more

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It means static class member access, in this case static method invocation.

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It's used to access class methods / properties:

http://www.php.net/manual/en/language.oop5.paamayim-nekudotayim.php