The difference between explode and split in php

First, let's look at the definitions of the two methods:

Function prototype: array split (string $pattern, string $string [, int $limit])

Function prototype: array explode (string $separator, string $string [, int $limit])

At first glance there is no difference, it looks like the function is the same. I made that mistake. Note that the first arguments of the two functions string $pattern and string separator, 1 for $pattern, and 1 for $separator, are regular strings, and 1 for $separator, normal strings.

Look at the following code:

 
$test = end(explode('.', 'abc.txt')); 
echo $test;//output txt 

Replaced by:

 
$test1 = end(split('.','abc.txt')); 
echo $test1;//no output 

The correct way to use split is to add an escape symbol

 
$test1 = end(split('\.','abc.txt')); 
echo $test1;//output txt 

Analysis: the "." symbol is the keyword of the regular expression, so split is invalid, while explode is valid.