get_class()
get_class() is a PHP native function, that returns the name of the class of an object.
get_class() returns the full name of the class, including its namespace and original letter cases.
get_class() may be replaced by the magic method __CLASS__ when operating on $this. It may also be replaced with an object in other situation, such as fetching a static constant, or instantiating a new object.
<?php
namespace Zoo\Savanna;
class Elephpant {}
$trunk = new Elephpant;
print get_class(); //Zoo\Savanna\Elephpant
$herd = new $trunk;
print get_class(); //Zoo\Savanna\Elephpant
?>