Saturday, February 7, 2026
HomeLanguagesPHP | defined() function

PHP | defined() function

The PHP defined() function is an inbuilt function in PHP which checks whether a constant is exists or not, in other words, defined or not.

Syntax:

bool defined($constant_name);

Parameter: This function accepts a single parameter as mentioned above and described below.

  • $constant_name: This is required parameter. It specifies the name of the constant.

Return Value: This function returns TRUE if constant exists and FALSE otherwise.

Note: This function is available for PHP 4.0.0 and newer version.

Below examples illustrate the function:

Example 1:




<?php
define("constant_key", "value for the constant key");
echo defined("constant_key");
?>


Output:

1

Example 2: checking with if condition after defining the constant.




<?php
define("constant_key", "value for the constant key");
if(defined("constant_key")){
    echo "constant_key is defined";
}else{
    echo "constant_key is not defined";
}
?>


Output:

constant_key is defined

Example 3: checking with if condition without defining the constant.




<?php
//define("constant_key", "value for the constant key");
if(defined("constant_key")){
    echo "constant_key is defined";
}else{
    echo "constant_key is not defined";
}
?>


Output:

constant_key is not defined

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular

Dominic
32491 POSTS0 COMMENTS
Milvus
126 POSTS0 COMMENTS
Nango Kala
6863 POSTS0 COMMENTS
Nicole Veronica
11987 POSTS0 COMMENTS
Nokonwaba Nkukhwana
12076 POSTS0 COMMENTS
Shaida Kate Naidoo
6996 POSTS0 COMMENTS
Ted Musemwa
7238 POSTS0 COMMENTS
Thapelo Manthata
6947 POSTS0 COMMENTS
Umr Jansen
6933 POSTS0 COMMENTS