How to create a copy of an object in PHP?

In PHP, you can create a copy of an object using the clone keyword. This creates a shallow copy of the object, copying all properties to a new instance while maintaining the same values.

Basic Object Cloning

The simplest way to copy an object is using the clone keyword −

<?php
class Demo {
    public $val1;
    public $val2;
}

$ob = new Demo();
$copyOb = clone $ob;

$ob->val1 = "Jack";
$ob->val2 = "Kevin";
$copyOb->val1 = "Tom";
$copyOb->val2 = "Ryan";

echo "Original: " . $ob->val1 . " " . $ob->val2 . "<br>";
echo "Copy: " . $copyOb->val1 . " " . $copyOb->val2 . "<br>";
?>

Original: Jack Kevin
Copy: Tom Ryan

Cloning Objects with Constructor

You can also clone objects that have constructors. The clone will preserve the initialized values −

<?php
class Demo {
    public $deptname;
    public $deptzone;
    
    public function __construct($a, $b) {
        $this->deptname = $a;
        $this->deptzone = $b;
    }
}

$val = new Demo('Finance', 'West');
$copy = clone $val;

print_r($val);
print_r($copy);
?>

Demo Object
(
    [deptname] => Finance
    [deptzone] => West
)
Demo Object
(
    [deptname] => Finance
    [deptzone] => West
)

Key Points

Conclusion

Use the clone keyword to create object copies in PHP. The cloned object becomes an independent instance with the same property values as the original.