24 lines
		
	
	
		
			994 B
		
	
	
	
		
			Markdown
		
	
	
	
	
	
		
		
			
		
	
	
			24 lines
		
	
	
		
			994 B
		
	
	
	
		
			Markdown
		
	
	
	
	
	
|   | --- | ||
|  | title: Constants | ||
|  | --- | ||
|  | ## Constants
 | ||
|  | Constants are a type of variable in PHP. The `define()` function to set a constant takes three arguments - the key name, the key's value, and a Boolean (true or false) which determines whether the key's name is case-insensitive (false by default). A constant's value cannot be altered once it is set. It is used for values which rarely change (for example a database password OR api key). | ||
|  | 
 | ||
|  | ### Scope
 | ||
|  | It is important to know that unlike variables, constants ALWAYS have a global scope and can be accessed from any function in the script. | ||
|  | 
 | ||
|  | ### Example
 | ||
|  | ```PHP | ||
|  | <?php | ||
|  | define("freeCodeCamp", "Learn to code and help nonprofits", false); | ||
|  | echo freeCodeCamp; | ||
|  | ``` | ||
|  | **Output:** | ||
|  | ```text | ||
|  | Learn to code and help nonprofits | ||
|  | ``` | ||
|  | 
 | ||
|  | #### More Information:
 | ||
|  | * <a href="https://secure.php.net/manual/en/language.constants.php" rel="nofollow">php.net constants manual</a> | ||
|  | * <a href="https://secure.php.net/manual/en/function.define.php" rel="nofollow">php.net define() manual</a> |