PHP Destructor

A destructor in PHP serves as a special method within a class that PHP automatically executes when the object is destroyed or exits its scope at the script's end or upon unset.

In PHP, destructors are useful for:

• Releasing resources (closing files, DB connections)
• Logging or cleanup actions
• Auto-saving changes before shutdown

Syntax

class ClassName {
    function __destruct() {
        // cleanup code here
    }
} 

• It has no parameters
• Only one destructor per class
• PHP triggers this method automatically when the object becomes unnecessary

Example

 <?php
class User {
    public $name;

    function __construct($name) {
        $this->name = $name;
        echo "User '$name' created.<br>";
    }

    function __destruct() {
        echo "User '$this->name' destroyed.<br>";
    }
}

$user1 = new User("Alice");
$user2 = new User("Bob");

echo "Script continues...<br>";
// Destructors will be called automatically at the end
?>