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PHP PhpToken::is() Method: Usage and Examples

PHP PhpToken::is() Method: Usage and Examples: PhpToken::is() inspects an individual token produced by tokenize().

1 views Published Oct 17, 2026 Updated Oct 17, 2026 admin

PhpToken represents a token produced while parsing PHP source into lexical units.

What Is PhpToken::is in PHP?


PhpToken::is() inspects an individual token produced by tokenize().

PhpToken::is($kind) : bool

Parameters:

  • $kind — Required. The kind argument used to configure this operation; its accepted values follow the declared PHP type.

Return type: bool. Token IDs represent language constructs; token text can include whitespace and punctuation.

Example 1: Understanding the Basic Behavior


<?php

$tokens = PhpToken::tokenize("<?php echo 7 + 3;");
$token = $tokens[1];
var_dump($token->is(T_ECHO));

Output:

bool(true)

Explanation: PhpToken::is() inspects an individual token produced by tokenize().

Example 2: Testing Another Case


<?php

$tokens = PhpToken::tokenize("<?php echo 11 + 2;");
$token = $tokens[1];
var_dump($token->is(T_ECHO));

Output:

bool(true)

Explanation: Token IDs represent language constructs; token text can include whitespace and punctuation.

Practical Example: Applying the Operation


<?php

$tokens = PhpToken::tokenize("<?php echo 8 * 5;");
$token = $tokens[1];
var_dump($token->is(T_ECHO));

Output:

bool(true)

Explanation: Token IDs and token text vary with the supplied source; whitespace tokens can matter.

Important Behavior and Edge Cases


  • Token IDs represent language constructs; token text can include whitespace and punctuation.
  • Token IDs and token text vary with the supplied source; whitespace tokens can matter.

Comparison With Related Approaches


ApproachWhen to Use It
PhpToken::isPhpToken::is() inspects an individual token produced by tokenize().
PhpToken::tokenize()PhpToken offers objects with methods, while token_get_all() returns traditional arrays.

Common Beginner Mistakes


MistakeCorrect Approach
Misinterpreting the documented behavior of PhpToken::is() for the supplied value.Token IDs represent language constructs; token text can include whitespace and punctuation.
Choosing PhpToken::tokenize() without checking whether it provides the same result.PhpToken offers objects with methods, while token_get_all() returns traditional arrays.

Key Takeaways


  • PhpToken::is() inspects an individual token produced by tokenize().
  • Token IDs represent language constructs; token text can include whitespace and punctuation.
  • Token IDs and token text vary with the supplied source; whitespace tokens can matter.

The examples demonstrate where PhpToken::is fits within php token inspection. Verify the relevant preconditions whenever you adapt the code to real data.

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