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.

This operator is often called double-colon, or paamayim-nekudotayim : this is double-colon in Hebrew.

<?php

$a = new stdClass();

echo $a::class;

// identical to
echo get_class($a);

?>

Documentation

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