PHP allows functions and classes to have the same name, but may cause readability and maintenance issues. For example: 1. It is difficult for other developers to determine whether the call is a function or a class; 2. It is easy to be confused when the IDE is automatically completed; 3. There may be conflicts when the project is expanded. Although the syntax is correct, such as the function User() coexisting with the User-like and the parser can distinguish it, it is recommended to avoid problems through naming specifications, document descriptions, namespaces, etc., or use different names to improve clarity and security.
Yes, a PHP function can have the same name as a class. PHP allows functions and classes to use the same name because they are in different namespaces—the functions belong to the global namespace or the namespace you define, and the class names are declared through the class
keyword. When called, the PHP parser distinguishes the two according to the context.

However, although syntactically allowed, whether this should be done in actual development depends on the specific situation.

Is there any problem with the same name as the function and the class?
On the surface, this will not cause syntax errors, but may cause readability and maintenance problems . for example:
- When others read your code, they may not tell whether you have called a function or instantiated the class.
- Confusion may occur when IDE automatically completes.
- If the project is expanded later, unexpected conflicts are prone to occur.
Let's give a simple example:

function User() { return "This is a function"; } class User { public function __construct() { echo "This is a class"; } } echo User(); // Output: This is a function $user = new User(); // Output: This is a class
In this example, User()
is called as a function, and new User()
is the creation of the object. PHP can be correctly identified, but for developers, this "rename" will increase the cost of understanding.
When can I consider doing this?
Although not recommended, this practice may be reasonable in certain specific scenarios:
- Backward compatibility with old code : Some old projects may already have such structures that can be preserved in order not to destroy existing logic.
- Simplified writing of factory pattern : Some people like to use function names as a quick way to create classes, for example:
class Database { public function connect() { echo "Connected"; } } function Database() { return new Database(); } $db = Database(); $db->connect();
The advantage of writing this way is to facilitate calls, but the cost is to blur the boundaries between functions and classes.
How to avoid potential problems?
If you decide to make the function and the class have the same name, it is recommended to do the following:
- ? Clearly explain the differences and uses of the two in the documentation
- ? Use naming specifications to distinguish between categories and functions (such as uppercase and lowercase class names)
- ? Avoid defining functions and classes with the same name at the same time in the same file
- ? Use namespace to isolate different functional modules
If it is just for convenience, it is recommended to use different names, such as naming the functions createUser()
, getUser()
, etc., which is clearer and safer.
Basically that's it. PHP allows this writing, but whether it is used depends on the actual situation of the project and teamwork habits.
The above is the detailed content of Can a PHP function have the same name as a class?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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