midPHP
What is autoloading in PHP?
Updated May 24, 2026
Short answer
Autoloading automatically loads classes when required.
Deep explanation
spl_autoload_register and Composer eliminate manual include statements. This improves scalability and project organization.
Real-world example
Composer autoloading is essential in modern Laravel and Symfony projects.
Common mistakes
- Incorrect namespace-to-folder mappings.
Follow-up questions
- What is PSR-4 autoloading?
- Why avoid manual includes?