A few functions are available for both verifying and converting data types.

Retrieving Types

The gettype() function returns the type of the provided variable. In total, eight possible return values are available: array, boolean, double, integer, object, resource, string, and unknown type. Its prototype follows:

string gettype(mixed var)

Converting Types

The settype() function converts a variable to the type specified by type. Seven possible type values are available: array, boolean, float, integer, null, object, and string. If the conversion is successful, TRUE is returned; otherwise, FALSE is returned. Its prototype follows:

boolean settype(mixed var, string type)