What is the PHP unset() function?

The unset() function in PHP resets any variable. If unset() is called inside a user-defined function, it unsets the local variables. If a user wants to unset the global variable inside the function, then he/she has to use $GLOBALS array to do so. The unset() function has no return value.

The illustration below explains how a variable is unset():​

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Examples

Code 1

The coded example below unsets the local variable:

<?php
$my_var='Hello User';
echo " before unset : ".$my_var;
echo"\n";
unset($my_var);
echo "after unset : " .$my_var;
?>

Code 2

The coded example below unsets the global variable using $GLOBALS array:

<?php
$my_var='Hello User';
function unset_var()
{
global $my_var;
echo "Before unset and inside function : ".$my_var."\n";
unset($GLOBALS['my_var']);
}
echo "Outside function before using function : ".$my_var."\n";
unset_var();
echo "Outside function after using function : ".$my_var."\n";
?>

The error in the codes occurred because the code tried to print the unset variable.

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