Magic Methods in PHP

Magic methods in php are some predefined function by php compiler which executes on some event. Magic methods start with prefix __, for example __call, __get, __set.

List of List of Magic Methods in PHP

Magic Method	Description
__construct	This magic methods is called when someone create object of your class. Usually this is used for creating constructor in php5.
__destruct	This magic method is called when object of your class is unset. This is just opposite of __construct.
__get	This method called when your object attempt to read property or variable of the class which is inaccessible or unavailable.
__set	This method called when object of your class attempts to set value of the property which is really inaccessible or unavailable in your class.
__isset	This magic methods trigger when isset() function is applied on any property of the class which isinaccessible or unavailable.
__unset	__unset is something opposite of isset method. This method triggers when unset() function called on inaccessible or unavailable property of the class.
__call	__call magic method trigger when you are attempting to call method or function of the class which is either inaccessible or unavailable.
__callstatic	__callstatic execture when inaccessible or unavailable method is in static context.
__sleep	__sleep methods trigger when you are going to serialize your class object.
__wakeup	__wakeup executes when you are un serializing any class object.
__toString	__toString executes when you are using echo on your object.
__invoke	__invoke called when you are using object of your class as function

Above list is the most conman used magic methods in php object oriented programming. Above magic methods of php executes on some specif  events occur on your class object. For example if you simply echo your object then __toString method trigger. Let us create group of related magic method and analyze how it is working.

__construct and __destruct magic method in PHP

__construct method trigger on creation of object. And __destruct triggers of deletion of object. Following is very basic example of __construct and __destruct magic method in php:

class test{

function __construct(){

echo 1;
}
function __destruct(){

echo 2;
}

}
$objT = new test(); //__construct get automatically executed and print 1 on screen
unset($objT);//__destruct triggers and print 2.

__get __set __call and __callStatic Magic Methods

__get, __set, __call and __callStatic all magic methods in php directly related with no accessible method and property of the class.
__get takes one argument and executes when any inaccessible property of the method is called. It takes name of the property as argument.
__set takes two property and executes when object try to set value in inaccessible property. It take first parameter as name of the property and second as the value which object is try to set.
__call method fires when object of your class is trying to call method of property which is either non accessible or not available. It takes 2 parameter  First parameter is string and is name of function. Second parameter is an array which is arguments passed in the function.
__callStatic is a static magic method. It executes when any method of your class is called by static techniques.

Following is example of __get , __set , __call and __callStatic magic methods

class test {

function __get($name){

echo "__get executed with name $name ";

}

function __set($name , $value){

echo "__set executed with name $name , value $value";

}

function __call($name , $parameter){

$a = print_r($parameter , true); //taking recursive array in string

echo "__call executed with name $name , parameter $a";
}

static function __callStatic($name , $parameter){

$a = print_r($parameter , true); //taking recursive array in string

echo "__callStatic executed with name $name , parameter $a";

}
}

$a = new test();
$a->abc = 3;//__set will executed
$app = $a->pqr;//__get will triggerd
$a->getMyName('ankur' , 'techflirt', 'etc');//__call willl be executed
test::xyz('1' , 'qpc' , 'test');//__callstatic will be executed

__isset and __unset magic methods

__isset and __unset magic methods in php are opposite of each other.
__isset magic methods executes when function isset() is applied on property which is not available or not defined. It takes name of the parameter as an argument.
__unset magic method triggers when unset() method is applied on the property which is either not defined or not accessible. It takes name of the parameter as an argument.
Following is example of __isset and __unset magic method in php

class test {

function __isset($name){

echo "__isset is called for $name";

}

function __unset($name){

echo "__unset is called for $name";

}

}

$a = new test();
isset($a->x);
unset($a->c);