Scope Resolution Operator ::

The Scope Resolution Operator is a token that allows access to static, constant, and overridden properties or methods of a class.

Traditionally, this used to be a feature of the function get_class(). The operator is more modern and faster.

The double colon operator is used to access class related elements, such as

  • static properties, X::$property

  • static methods, X::method()

  • static constants, X::CONSTANT,

  • class name, X::class

This operator is often called double-colon, or paamayim-nekudotayim : this means double-colon in Hebrew. It is said to be a lot easier to google than ::.

<?php

$a = new stdClass();

echo $a::class;

// identical to
echo get_class($a);

?>

Documentation

Related : Object Operator ->, Object Nullsafe Operator ?->, Colon