# PHP Magic Methods

Magic methods are special methods which override PHP's default's action when certain actions are performed on an object. They always start with two underscores `__`.

---

## 1. __toString()
The `__toString()` method allows a class to decide how it will react when it is treated like a string.

```php
class Bird {
    public $name;
    public function __construct($name) {
        $this->name = $name;
    }
    public function __toString() {
        return "This bird is a " . $this->name;
    }
}

$bird = new Bird("Canary");
echo $bird; // Outputs: This bird is a Canary
```

## 2. __get() and __set()
These methods are used for property overloading.
*   `__set()` is run when writing data to inaccessible (protected or private) or non-existing properties.
*   `__get()` is utilized for reading data from inaccessible (protected or private) or non-existing properties.

```php
class User {
    private $data = array();

    public function __set($name, $value) {
        $this->data[$name] = $value;
    }

    public function __get($name) {
        return $this->data[$name];
    }
}

$user = new User();
$user->username = "JohnDoe"; // Calls __set
echo $user->username;        // Calls __get
```

## 3. Other Common Magic Methods
*   `__call($name, $args)`: Triggered when invoking inaccessible methods.
*   `__isset($name)`: Triggered by calling `isset()` or `empty()` on inaccessible properties.
*   `__unset($name)`: Triggered by calling `unset()` on inaccessible properties.
*   `__invoke()`: Called when a script tries to call an object as a function.

[[programming/php/php]] [[programming/php/php-classes]]