problem with \n character

[d3k4n]

when i use the following code line on php 5.0:

echo "First string\nSecond string";

i get something like:

First string Second string

instead of:

First string
Second string

Why could it be? 😕

[drew010]

if you are viewing it in the browser, it will show up on one line but if you view-source it is probably the way you want it. there is a difference between an html <br /> and a \n in html output. try

echo "First string<br />\nSecond String";

[d3k4n]

thx, but i only need to use the <br /> tag. what's the use of the \n on php? i'm used to c++ and i've never had such problems.

[drew010]

\n can be used to format your source code.

i.e.

echo "this is my first line<br />";
//some complex logic code
echo "<b>fdasgewa</b>";
echo "<hr width="75%"/>";
echo "the data is...............";
echo "<table>";
echo "<tr>";
echo "<td>something</td>";
echo "</tr>";
echo "</table>";

i know that code could be shortened but its not the point. it may look ok in php but if you look at the html output here is what it looks like

this is my first line<br /><b>fdasgewa</b><hr width="75%"/>the data is...............<table>

i think you get the point. it will all come out on one looooong line. using \n can help format your code output to keep it readable.

if you are using php from the command line, then \n will function as it does in c++, move to the next line.

[Merve]

If you need to change the \n 's to <br> 's, then use [man]nl2br/man.