Simple PHP IF/ELSE code not working properly with html markup

Question

I have started to learn some basic PHP. So far everything worked perfectly until I tried to run some IF/ELSE statements embedded into the markup as you can see in the snipet bellow:

<?php 
$msg = 0;
echo $msg;
?>

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <title>Test</title>
</head>
<body>
    <?php if ($msg = 5){ ?>
        <h1>5</h1>
    <?php } elseif ($msg = 0) { ?>
        <h1> 0 </h1>
    <?php } else { ?>
        <h1>Whatever</h1>
    <?php } ?>
</body>
</html>

The result is always the first if statement, even if it doesn't meet the condition. In this case the result is:

0

5

Tried everything I knew and searched a lot without any results. What am I doing wrong here?

Also, if you are interested to know if the type is correct, rather than just the value after type [juggling](http://php.net/manual/en/language.types.type-juggling.php), then use `===` — Klors, Nov 16 '18 at 13:35

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 16 '18 at 13:28

This is a simple syntax error, it needs to be:

<?php 
$msg = 0;
echo $msg;
?>

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <title>Test</title>
</head>
<body>
    <?php if ($msg == 5){ ?>
        <h1>5</h1>
    <?php } elseif ($msg == 0) { ?>
        <h1> 0 </h1>
    <?php } else { ?>
        <h1>Whatever</h1>
    <?php } ?>
</body>
</html>

Notice the == which compares things vs. = which sets things.

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 16 '18 at 13:28

1

The = sign is for assignment; in order to do a comparison you need to use ==:

<?php if ($msg == 5){ ?>

answered Nov 16 '18 at 13:28

Tordek

10,628
3
36
67

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Nov 16 '18 at 13:31

0

The problem is in the condition -> ($msg = 5) It should be == ($msg == 5) instead of ($msg = 5).

When you are comparing two values you need to use double equal sign not single. Single means you are assigning value to the variable.

Don'g give up!!

Good luck!

answered Nov 16 '18 at 13:31

Marcin - user2676388

66
4

1

Hi, we normally just comment on a typo and close the question. They are almost never any use to others – RiggsFolly Nov 16 '18 at 13:32

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Nov 16 '18 at 13:38

0

<?php 
$msg = 0;
echo $msg;
?>

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <title>Test</title>
</head>
<body>
    <?php if ($msg == 5){ ?>
        <h1>5</h1>
    <?php } elseif ($msg == 0) { ?>
        <h1> 0 </h1>
    <?php } else { ?>
        <h1>Whatever</h1>
    <?php } ?>
</body>
</html>

answered Nov 16 '18 at 13:38

Rm khan

9
2

3

Please include a bit of explanation. Especially on the difference between your code and Jo.joe's. – Nicky Mattsson Nov 16 '18 at 13:59

Simple PHP IF/ELSE code not working properly with html markup

4 Answers4