php var dump vs print r

Question

What is the difference between var_dump() and print_r() in terms of spitting out an array as a string?

Answer 1

The var_dump function - Displays structured information about variables/expressions including their type and value. 

The print_r() function - Displays information about a variable in a way that's readable by humans. array values will be presented in a format that shows keys and elements. 

Example:

$obj = (object) array('qualitypoint', 'technologies', 'India');

Output by var_dump($obj):

object(stdClass)#1 (3) {
 [0]=> string(12) "qualitypoint"
 [1]=> string(12) "technologies"
 [2]=> string(5) "India"
}

Output by print_r($obj):

stdClass Object ( 
 [0] => qualitypoint
 [1] => technologies
 [2] => India
)

I hope this helps.