Building URL, determining http/s

Question

First I would like to let you guys know that I am no expert in PHP, I know some basics. I am learning by myself, this is why I am turning to you guys for help.

I made some search but in vein, I can't figure out what should I search for.

Line of code from a whole block

$base_root = (isset($_SERVER['HTTPS']) && $_SERVER['HTTPS'] == 'on') ? 'https' : 'http';

So the block of code is for building the url. This line of code choose if its either http or https.

(isset($_SERVER['HTTPS']) && $_SERVER['HTTPS'] == 'on')

This line checks if https is set. Until now its ok

 ? 'https' : 'http';

This is where I need help. What does the '?' and ':' does?

Thanks in advance. Also it would be great if you guys could recommend me some books, sites or tutorials where I can learn.

Kind Regards

wow great, thanks. there are a lot of other operators I needed to search for. THanks — Ouzayr Khedun, Jun 20 '13 at 12:03

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 20 '13 at 11:59

0

It is the ternary operator.

It returns the value between ? and : if the condition in front of the ? is true. And the value after the : if the condition is false.

I recommend reading the PHP manual in general, it gives lots of information on almost any topic regarding PHP.

answered Jun 20 '13 at 11:59

TimWolla

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thanks. but there are a lot of stuff in it, should I read the whole documentations? – Ouzayr Khedun Jun 20 '13 at 12:05
@OuzKedz You should read the [language reference](http://www.php.net/manual/en/langref.php) at least. It gives information on basic use. It is probably impossible to read the whole function documention, I recommend searching for a proper method in case you need one and reading the appropriate manual afterwards. – TimWolla Jun 20 '13 at 12:08
@OuzKedz - I suggest you read it as you need it. But the [Language Reference](http://www.php.net/manual/en/langref.php) chapter is worth an afternoon, esp. from "Basic syntax" to "Control Structures". – Álvaro González Jun 20 '13 at 12:10

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 20 '13 at 12:02

0

It's shorthand for if - else combo

statement ? code 1 : code 2

is equivalent to

if( statement ) { code 1 } else { code 2 }

http://www.php.net/manual/en/language.operators.comparison.php

answered Jun 20 '13 at 12:02

paranoid

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great, thanks a lot for this – Ouzayr Khedun Jun 20 '13 at 12:05

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 20 '13 at 12:03

0

This is ternary conditional operator: http://php.net/manual/en/language.operators.comparison.php

answered Jun 20 '13 at 12:03

Rafał Malinowski

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score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Jun 20 '13 at 12:06

$base_root = (isset($_SERVER['HTTPS']) && $_SERVER['HTTPS'] == 'on') 

? 'https' : 'http';
this is like if else statement if above line is true then $base_root will assigned with 'https'(which is just after ?) if it is false then it will get assigned with 'http'(which is after :)

just check below condition you will get understand easily...

if((isset($_SERVER['HTTPS']) && $_SERVER['HTTPS'] == 'on')){
    $base_root = 'https';
}else{
    $base_root = 'http';
}

Building URL, determining http/s

4 Answers4