Using underscore before public function names

Question

I was just reading some code and I came across a function named __toString. Here is the function prototype:

public function __construct($par)

What is the reason the coder chose __construct and not construct as the function name?

I have read this question which says that private and protected functions can start with an underscore, but it is a public function. Why has the coder chosen to use underscore in this case?

possible duplicate of Why double underscore (__) in php?, see also: php.net/manual/en/language.oop5.magic.php — No Results Found
– No Results Found, Commented Mar 14, 2012 at 9:11
"PHP reserves all function names starting with __ as magical. It is recommended that you do not use function names with __ in PHP unless you want some documented magic functionality." — Gordon
– Gordon, Commented Mar 14, 2012 at 9:27
Possible duplicate of Why double underscore (__) in PHP function names?. — Peter Mortensen
– Peter Mortensen, Commented Apr 20, 2022 at 18:23

Peter Mortensen · Accepted Answer · 2022-04-20 18:27:59Z

2

__construct and __toString are all magic functions that start with a double _.

And all private functions start with a single _ that is not standard, but developers prefer this way to identify public and private methods...

And all magic function are not public.

edited Apr 20, 2022 at 18:27

Peter Mortensen

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answered Mar 14, 2012 at 9:16

sandeep

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2 Comments

Peter Mortensen Over a year ago

Magic functions in what context? In PHP? Or a convention in particular frameworks like WordPress or Laravel?

Peter Mortensen Over a year ago

WordPress uses naked double underscores ("__"): Double underscore in PHP

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