PHP Comparison Operators Quick Reference Card

Comparison Operators

Operator Name Result
$a == $b Equal TRUE if $a is equal to $b.
$a === $b Identical TRUE if $a is equal to $b, and they are of the same type.
Useful for String comparisons if($a==="string")
$a != $b Not Equal TRUE if $a is not equal to $b.
$a <> $b Not Equal TRUE if $a is not equal to $b.
$a !== $b Not Identical TRUE if $a is not equal to $b, or they are not of the same type.
Useful for String comparisons if($a!=="string")
$a < $b Less Than TRUE if $a is strictly less than $b.
$a > $b Greater Than TRUE if $a is strictly greater than $b.
$a <= $b Less Than or Equal to TRUE if $a is less than or equal to $b.
$a >= $b Greater Than or Equal to TRUE if $a is greater than or equal to $b.

Comparison with Various Types

Operand 1 Operand 2 Result
Null or String String Convert NULL to "", numerical or lexical comparison
Bool or Null Anything Convert to bool, FALSE < TRUE
Object Object Built-in classes can define its own comparison, different classes are incomparable, same class - compare properties the same way as arrays (PHP 4), PHP 5 lets you define your own comparison mechanism.
String, Resource or Number String, Resource or Number Translate strings and resources to numbers, usual math
Array Array Array with fewer members is smaller, if key from operand 1 is not found in operand 2 then arrays are incomparable, otherwise - compare value by value
Array Anything Array is always greater.
Object Anything Object is always greater.