Title: WordPress "->" ?
Last modified: August 20, 2016

---

# WordPress "->" ?

 *  Resolved [fatty123](https://wordpress.org/support/users/fatty123/)
 * (@fatty123)
 * [13 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-7/)
 * What does “->” in wordpress stand for, I often see this being used in the wordpress
   loop, if statements and other places
 * I don’t see there is a documentation for this symbol in wordpress but is often
   used with other example….
 * Following are few “->” I have encountered so far:
    /////////////////////////////////////
 *     ```
       example 1:
   
       $recentPosts = new WP_Query();
       $recentPosts -> query('showposts=5');
       ```
   
 * //////////////////////////////////////
 *     ```
       example 2:
   
       while($selectedPosts -> have_posts()): $selectedPosts -> the_posts():
       is used instead of
       while(have_posts()): the_posts():
       ```
   
 * //////////////////////////////////////
 *     ```
       example 3:
   
       if($post -> post_parent){
          //??
       }
       ```
   
 * //////////////////////////////////////
 *     ```
       example 4:
   
       $image = get_post_meta($post -> ID,'header_image', true);
       ```
   
 * //////////////////////////////////////
 * Can anyone explain the meaning of this symbol?

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

 *  [Clayton James](https://wordpress.org/support/users/claytonjames/)
 * (@claytonjames)
 * [13 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-7/#post-3149549)
 * There is a pretty detailed explanation [in this discussion.](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4502587/absolutely-basic-php-question-about-the-syntax)
 *  Thread Starter [fatty123](https://wordpress.org/support/users/fatty123/)
 * (@fatty123)
 * [13 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-7/#post-3149639)
 * Thanks =)

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

The topic ‘WordPress "->" ?’ is closed to new replies.

 * 2 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [fatty123](https://wordpress.org/support/users/fatty123/)
 * Last activity: [13 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-7/#post-3149639)
 * Status: resolved

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