php - What is the difference between isset() and __isset()?

Question

I need to know about magic function __isset() and normal function isset(). Actually what is the real difference between php language construct isset() and php magic method __isset() ? When I google it they told that __isset() is a magic function. What are difference between common php functions and magic functions in php?

Answer 1

isset()

It is a language construct that checks the initialization of variables or class properties:

$a = 10;

isset($a);     // true
isset($a, $b); // false

class Test
{
    public $prop = 10;
}

$obj = new Test;
isset($obj->prop); // true

---

__isset()

It is a magic method that is invoked when isset() or empty() check non-existent or inaccessible class property:

class Test
{
    public function __isset($name) {
        echo "Non-existent property '$name'";
    }
}

$obj = new Test;
isset($obj->prop); // prints "Non-existent property 'prop'" and return false

---

Difference:

           isset()                               __isset()

Language construct                    | Magic method
                                      |
Always return bool                    | Result depends on custom logic

^* | Must be invoked in code | Called automatically by event | Unlimited number of parameters | Has only one parameter | Can be used in any scope | Must be defined as method^** | Is a reserved keyword | Not a reserved keyword | Can't be redefined (Parse error) | Can be redefined in extended class^***

__isset() result anyway will be automatically casted as bool.

Actually you can define custom function __isset() but it has nothing to do with the magic method.

See this example.

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Magic Methods

Unlike common functions can be defined only in class scope and invoked automatically on specific events such as: inaccessible method invocation, class serialization, when unset() used on inaccessible properties and so on. See also this official documentation: Overloading.