Store print_r result into a variable as a string or text

If I use print_r or var_dump it displays the result on the screen, but I want this data to be stored in a variable so that I can write it to a file.

How do I do this?

   $var = print_r($what, true);

You must add true into print_r.

What you do while you print or dump? Basically you send your data (result or anything) to Show it on screen. Keep your mind clear that its not saved, it is just displayed, To save the data , so a simple thing, just declare a variable and assign the data to it..

for example you are printing some array like this..

print_r(myArray);

to save this, you just have to add an option , set Return to TRUE and assign it to a variable

$myVariable=print_r(myArray, TRUE);

if you need some more information, Follow this

hoping this will help you understanding the concept

ob_start();
var_dump($someVar);
$result = ob_get_clean();

it works.