An integer is a number of the set Z = {..., -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, ...}.
See also: Arbitrary precision integers and Floating point numbers
Integers can be specified in decimal (10-based), hexadecimal (16-based) or octal (8-based) notation, optionally preceded by a sign (- or +).
If you use the octal notation, you must precede the number with a 0 (zero), to use hexadecimal notation precede the number with 0x.
If you specify a number beyond the bounds of the integer type, it will be interpreted as a float instead. Also, if you perform an operation that results in a number beyond the bounds of the integer type, a float will be returned instead.
$large_number = 2147483647; var_dump($large_number); // output: int(2147483647) $large_number = 2147483648; var_dump($large_number); // output: float(2147483648) // this goes also for hexadecimal specified integers: var_dump( 0x80000000 ); // output: float(2147483648) $million = 1000000; $large_number = 50000 * $million; var_dump($large_number); // output: float(50000000000) |
Warning |
Unfortunately, there was a bug in PHP so that this does not always work correctly when there are negative numbers involved. For example: when you do -50000 * $million, the result will be -429496728. However, when both operands are positive there is no problem. This is solved in PHP 4.1.0. |
There is no integer division operator in PHP. 1/2 yields the float 0.5.
To explicitly convert a value to integer, use either the (int) or the (integer) cast. However, in most cases you do not need to use the cast, since a value will be automatically converted if an operator, function or control structure requires a integer argument.
See also type-juggling.
When converting from float to integer, the number will be rounded towards zero.
If the float is beyond the boundaries of integer (usually +/- 2.15e+9 = 2^31), the result is undefined, since the float hasn't got enough precision to give an exact integer result. No warning, not even a notice will be issued in this case!
Warning |
Never cast an unknown fraction to integer, as this can sometimes lead to unexpected results. See for more information the warning about float-precision. |
Caution |
Behaviour of converting to integer is undefined for other types. Currently, the behaviour is the same as if the value was first converted to boolean. However, do not relay on this behaviour, as it can change without notice. |