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PHP strncasecmp() Function

Last Updated : 11 Jul, 2025
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The strncasecmp() function is a built-in function in PHP and is used to compare two given strings. It is case-insensitive. This function is similar to strcasecmp(), the only difference is the provision to specify the number of characters to be used from each string for the comparison. Syntax:
strncasecmp($string1, $string2, $length)
Parameters: This function accepts two parameters as shown in the above syntax and are described below:
  • $string1, $string2: These parameters specifies the strings to be compared.
  • $length: It specifies the number of characters from each string to be used in the comparison. This parameter is mandatory
Return Value: This function returns an integer based on the conditions as described below:
  • strncasecmp() returns 0 - if the two strings are equal.
  • strncasecmp() returns <0 - if string1 is less than string2
  • strncasecmp() returns >0 - if string1 is greater than string2
Examples:
Input : string1 = "Hello", string2 = "hEllo", length = 6
Output : 0

Input : string1 = "Geeks", string2 = "Gfg", length = 3
Output : -1

Input : string1 = "Nerd", string2 = "Geeks", length = 4
Output : 7
Below programs illustrate the strncasecmp() function in PHP: Program 1: When the two strings are identical: php
<?php

$str1 = "Geeks for Geeks ";
$str2 = "Geeks for Geeks ";

// Both the strings are equal
$test=strncasecmp($str1, $str2, 16 ); 

echo "$test"; 

?>
Output :
0
Program 2 : When first string greater than the second string: php
<?php

// Input strings
$str1 = "Geeks for Geeks ";
$str2 = "Geeks for ";

$test=strncasecmp($str1, $str2, 16 ); 

// In this case the second string is smaller
echo "$test"; 

?>
Output:
6
Program 3: First string is smaller than the second string: php
<?php

// Input Strings
$str1 = "Geeks for ";
$str2 = "Geeks for Geeks ";

$test=strncasecmp($str1, $str2, 16 ); 

// In this case the first string is smaller
echo "$test"; 

?>
Output:
-6
Program 4: This program illustrates the case-insensitivity of the function: php
<?php

// Input Strings
$str1 = "GEEKS FOR GEEKS ";
$str2 = "Geeks for Geeks ";

// Both the strings are equal
$test=strncasecmp($str1, $str2, 16 ); 

echo "$test"; 

?>
Output:
0
Program 5: Two strings are of equal length but contain a different character. In such a case the difference between ASCII value of the two characters is displayed. The function returns a positive value if the character in string1 has a greater ASCII value and negative if the character in string2 has a greater ASCII value. php
<?php

// Input Strings 
$str1 = "Good";
$str2 = "Goon";

$test1 = strncasecmp($str1, $str2, 4 ); 

// Second string has a character 
// with higher ASCII value
echo "$test1"; 

echo "\n";

$test2 = strncasecmp($str2, $str1, 4 ); 

// First string has a character 
// with higher ASCII value
echo "$test2"; 

?>
Output:
-10
10
Reference: https://www.php.net/manual/en/function.strncasecmp.php

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