Difference between if () { } and if () : endif;

Question

Are there any differences between...

if ($value) {

}

...and...

if ($value):

endif;

?

Answer 1

I used to use curly brackets for "if, else" conditions. However, I found "if(xxx): endif;" is more semantic if the code is heavily wrapped and easier to read in any editors.

Of course, lots editors are capable of recognise and highlight chunks of code when curly brackets are selected. Some also do well on "if(xxx): endif" pair (eg, NetBeans)

Personally, I would recommend "if(xxx): endif", but for small condition check (eg, only one line of code), there are not much differences.

Answer 2

I would use the first option if at all possible, regardless of the new option. The syntax is standard and everyone knows it. It's also backwards compatible.

Answer 3

I think this say it all:

this alternative syntax is excellent for improving legibility (for both PHP and HTML!) in situations where you have a mix of them.

http://ca3.php.net/manual/en/control-structures.alternative-syntax.php

When mixing HTML an PHP the alternative sytnax is much easier to read. In normal PHP documents the traditional syntax should be used.

Answer 4

I feel that none of the preexisting answers fully identify the answer here, so I'm going to articulate my own perspective. Functionally, the two methods are the same. If the programer is familiar with other languages following C syntax, then they will likely feel more comfortable with the braces, or else if php is the first language that they're learning, they will feel more comfortable with the if endif syntax, since it seems closer to regular language.

If you're a really serious programmer and need to get things done fast, then I do believe that the curly brace syntax is superior because it saves time typing

if(/*condition*/){
    /*body*/ 
}

compared to

if(/*condition*/):
    /*body*/
endif;

This is especially true with other loops, say, a foreach where you would end up typing an extra 10 chars. With braces, you just need to type two characters, but for the keyword based syntax you have to type a whole extra keyword for every loop and conditional statement.

Answer 5

Personally I prefer making it in two seperate sections but within the same PHP like:

<?php 
    if (question1) { $variable_1 = somehtml; }
    else { $variable_1 = someotherhtml; } 

    if (question2) {
        $variable_2 = somehtml2;
    }

    else { 
        $variable_2 = someotherhtml2;
    }         

etc.
$output=<<<HERE
htmlhtmlhtml$variable1htmlhtmlhtml$varianble2htmletcetcetc
HERE;
echo $output;

?>

But maybe it is slower?

Answer 6

I think that it's particularly clearer when you're using a mix of ifs, fors and foreaches in view scripts:

<?php if ( $this->hasIterable ): ?>
    <h2>Iterable</h2>
    <ul>
    <?php foreach ( $this->iterable as $key => $val ):?>
        <?php for ( $i = 0; $i <= $val; $i++ ): ?>
        <li><?php echo $key ?></li>
        <?php endfor; ?>
    <?php endforeach; ?>
    </ul>
<?php elseif ( $this->hasScalar ): ?>
    <h2>Scalar</h2>
    <?php for ( $i = 0; $i <= $this->scalar; $i++ ): ?>
    <p>Foo = Bar</p>
    <?php endfor; ?>
<?php else: ?>
    <h2>Other</h2>
    <?php if ( $this->otherVal === true ): ?>
    <p>Spam</p>
    <?php else: ?>  
    <p>Eggs</p>  
    <?php endif; ?>
<?php endif; ?>

as opposed to:

<?php if ( $this->hasIterable ){ ?>
    <h2>Iterable</h2>
    <ul>
    <?php foreach ( $this->iterable as $key => $val ){?>
        <?php for ( $i = 0; $i <= $val; $i++ ){ ?>
        <li><?php echo $key ?></li>
        <?php } ?>
    <?php } ?>
    </ul>
<?php } elseif ( $this->hasScalar ){ ?>
    <h2>Scalar</h2>
    <?php for ( $i = 0; $i <= $this->scalar; $i++ ){ ?>
    <p>Foo = Bar</p>
    <?php } ?>
<?php } else { ?>
    <h2>Other</h2>
    <?php if ( $this->otherVal === true ){ ?>
    <p>Spam</p>
    <?php } else { ?>  
    <p>Eggs</p>  
    <?php } ?>
<?php } ?>

This is especially useful for long control statements where you might not be able to see the top declaration from the bottom brace.