Friday, September 5, 2025
HomeLanguagesPHP strncmp() Function

PHP strncmp() Function

The strncmp() is an inbuilt function in PHP which is used to compare first n character of two strings. This function is case-sensitive which points that capital and small cases will be treated differently, during comparison. This function compares two strings with first n character and tells whether the first string is greater or smaller or equal to the second string.

int strncmp( $str1, $str2, $len )

Parameters: This function accepts three parameters as mentioned above and described below: 

  • $str1: It is mandatory parameter. This parameter refers to the first string to be used in the comparison.
  • $str2: It is mandatory parameter. This parameter refers to the second string to be used in the comparison.
  • $len: It is mandatory parameter which is used to define the first $len number of characters compared.

Return Value: This function returns a random integer value depending on the comparison of string which is given below: 

  • Returns 0 if the first n character of both strings are equal.
  • Returns a negative value ( < 0), if the first n character of $string2 is greater than $string1.
  • Returns a positive value ( > 0), if the first n character of $string1 is greater than $string2.

Below programs illustrate the strncmp() function in PHP.

Program 1:  

PHP




<?php
  
// PHP program to illustrate the working of strncmp()
$str1 = "Welcome to GFG";
$str2 = "Welcome to neveropen";
$str3 = "Welcome";
  
// In this case both the strings are equal
print_r(strncmp($str1, $str3, 7));
echo "\n";
  
// In this case the first is greater
print_r(strncmp($str2, $str1, 14));
echo "\n";
  
// In this case the second is greater
print_r(strncmp($str3, $str2, 10))
  
?>


Output: 

0
31
-3




 

Program 2: 

PHP




<?php
  
// PHP program to illustrate the working of strncmp()
$str1 = "neveropen";
$str2 = "neveropen";
  
// In this case both the strings are equal
print_r(strncmp($str1, $str2, 13));
  
?>


Output: 

-32




 

Related Articles: 

Reference: http://php.net/manual/en/function.strncmp.php
 

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular

Dominic
32269 POSTS0 COMMENTS
Milvus
81 POSTS0 COMMENTS
Nango Kala
6636 POSTS0 COMMENTS
Nicole Veronica
11802 POSTS0 COMMENTS
Nokonwaba Nkukhwana
11865 POSTS0 COMMENTS
Shaida Kate Naidoo
6752 POSTS0 COMMENTS
Ted Musemwa
7026 POSTS0 COMMENTS
Thapelo Manthata
6703 POSTS0 COMMENTS
Umr Jansen
6721 POSTS0 COMMENTS