PHP ReflectionAttribute::isRepeated() Method: Usage and Examples

ReflectionAttribute describes metadata attached to a declaration and can create an attribute instance when requested.

What Is ReflectionAttribute::isRepeated in PHP?

ReflectionAttribute::isRepeated() reads the declared attribute metadata.

ReflectionAttribute::isRepeated() : bool

This operation does not accept method arguments.

Return type: bool. getArguments() reads constructor arguments without instantiating the attribute; newInstance() constructs its PHP object and may throw on invalid arguments.

Example 1: Understanding the Basic Behavior

<?php

#[Attribute(Attribute::TARGET_CLASS | Attribute::IS_REPEATABLE)]
class Label { public function __construct(public string $name) {} }
#[Label("new")]
class Article {}
$attribute = (new ReflectionClass(Article::class))->getAttributes(Label::class)[0];
var_dump($attribute->isRepeated());

Output:

bool(false)

Explanation: ReflectionAttribute::isRepeated() reads the declared attribute metadata.

Example 2: Testing Another Case

<?php

#[Attribute(Attribute::TARGET_CLASS | Attribute::IS_REPEATABLE)]
class Label { public function __construct(public string $name) {} }
#[Label("draft")]
#[Label("urgent")]
class Article {}
$attribute = (new ReflectionClass(Article::class))->getAttributes(Label::class)[0];
var_dump($attribute->isRepeated());

Output:

bool(true)

Explanation: getArguments() reads constructor arguments without instantiating the attribute; newInstance() constructs its PHP object and may throw on invalid arguments.

Practical Example: Applying the Operation

<?php

#[Attribute(Attribute::TARGET_CLASS | Attribute::IS_REPEATABLE)]
class Label { public function __construct(public string $name) {} }
#[Label("published")]
class Article {}
$attribute = (new ReflectionClass(Article::class))->getAttributes(Label::class)[0];
var_dump($attribute->isRepeated());

Output:

bool(false)

Explanation: Reading constructor arguments is different from constructing an attribute; newInstance() may execute constructor validation.

Important Behavior and Edge Cases

• getArguments() reads constructor arguments without instantiating the attribute; newInstance() constructs its PHP object and may throw on invalid arguments.
• Reading constructor arguments is different from constructing an attribute; newInstance() may execute constructor validation.

Comparison With Related Approaches

Common Beginner Mistakes

Key Takeaways

• ReflectionAttribute::isRepeated() reads the declared attribute metadata.
• getArguments() reads constructor arguments without instantiating the attribute; newInstance() constructs its PHP object and may throw on invalid arguments.
• Reading constructor arguments is different from constructing an attribute; newInstance() may execute constructor validation.

The examples demonstrate where ReflectionAttribute::isRepeated fits within attribute reflection. Verify the relevant preconditions whenever you adapt the code to real data.