PHP Static: Key Uses Explained

  1. To access static properties or methods, you can do so without instantiating the class by using the class name followed by double colons (::) to make the call.
  2. Shared variable: Static attributes can be shared among multiple instances, even though each instance has its own copy of the attribute, there is only one copy of the static attribute among all instances.
  3. Singleton pattern: Utilize static methods and attributes to implement the singleton pattern, ensuring that the class can only have one instance and providing a global access point.
  4. Lazy loading: One way to achieve lazy loading in a class is by using static properties to instantiate an object only when needed.
  5. Record count: static properties can be used to keep track of the number of instances of a class or the frequency of a certain operation, useful for tracking and monitoring.
  6. Constant definition: Constants can be defined as static properties to ensure their values remain unchanged throughout the entire program.
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