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The $x (single dollar) is the normal variable with the name x that stores any value like string, integer, float, etc. The $$x (double dollar) is a reference variable that stores the value which can be accessed by using $ symbol before $x value.
Difference Between $var and $$var in PHP
PHP $$var uses the value of the variable whose name is the value of $var. It means $$var is known as reference variable where as $var is normal variable. It allows you to have a "variable's variable" - the program can create the variable name the same way it can create any other string.
Example:
<?php
$x = "xyz";
$$x = 100;
echo $x."<br/>";
echo $$x."<br/>";
echo $abc;
?>
Output:
xyz
100
100
In the above example, we have assigned a value to the variable x as xyz. Value of reference variable $$x is assigned as 100.
Another Example: Now we have printed the values $x, $$x.
<?php
$x="Punjab";
$$x="Chandigarh";
echo $x. "<br>";
echo $$x. "<br>";
echo "Capital of $x is " . $$x;
?>
Output:
Punjab
Chandigarh
Capital of Punjab is Chandigarh
In the above example, we have assigned a value to the variable x as Punjab. Value of reference variable $$x is assigned as Chandigarh.
Another Example:
<?php
$x = "100";
$x = 200;
echo $x."<br/>";
echo $x."<br/>";
echo "$100";
?>
Output
100
200
200
In the Above Example
You first assign the value of a variable, ($x) as the name of another variable. When you set $x to a value, it will replace that variable name with the value of the variable you provide.
variable $x hold value = 100.
$$x(reference variable) hold value = 200. now we want to print the value.
echo $x gives output: 100
echo $$x gives output: 200.
echo $100 gives value.200. because it also act as a reference variable for value = 200.
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