PHP ReflectionClass::getStartLine() Method: Usage and Examples

ReflectionClass inspects the definition of a class, rather than running its constructor or calling its methods.

What Is ReflectionClass::getStartLine in PHP?

Returns the source line at which a user-defined class begins, or false for an internal class.

ReflectionClass::getStartLine()

This operation does not accept method arguments.

Example 1: Understanding the Basic Behavior

<?php

class Report { public const VERSION = 2; public string $title = 'Draft'; protected int $pages = 10; public static string $category = 'docs'; public function publish(): void {} }
$reflectionClass = new ReflectionClass(Report::class);
$result = $reflectionClass->getStartLine();
var_dump($result);

Output:

int(2)

Explanation: Returns the source line at which a user-defined class begins, or false for an internal class.

Example 2: Testing Another Case

<?php

interface Exportable { public function export(): string; }
trait HasId { public function getId(): int { return 12; } }
class Invoice implements Exportable { use HasId; public string $name = 'Invoice'; public const STATE = 'open'; public function export(): string { return 'invoice'; } }
$reflectionClass = new ReflectionClass(Invoice::class);
$result = $reflectionClass->getStartLine();
var_dump($result);

Output:

int(4)

Explanation: Line numbering depends on the source file and formatting.

Practical Example: Applying the Operation

<?php

abstract class BaseJob { protected string $name = 'job'; abstract public function run(): void; }
class CompletedJob extends BaseJob { public function run(): void {} }
$reflectionClass = new ReflectionClass(CompletedJob::class);
$result = $reflectionClass->getStartLine();
var_dump($result);

Output:

int(3)

Explanation: The returned metadata may be false, null, an array, or a Reflection object depending on the requested property.

Important Behavior and Edge Cases

• Line numbering depends on the source file and formatting.
• The returned metadata may be false, null, an array, or a Reflection object depending on the requested property.

Comparison With Related Approaches

Common Beginner Mistakes

Key Takeaways

• Returns the source line at which a user-defined class begins, or false for an internal class.
• Line numbering depends on the source file and formatting.
• The returned metadata may be false, null, an array, or a Reflection object depending on the requested property.

The examples demonstrate where ReflectionClass::getStartLine fits within reflection and metadata. Verify the relevant preconditions whenever you adapt the code to real data.