When to use self over $this?

Question

In PHP 5, what is the difference between using self and $this?

When is each appropriate?

Answer 1

According to php.net there are three special keywords in this context: self, parent and static. They are used to access properties or methods from inside the class definition.

$this, on the other hand, is used to call an instance and methods of any class as long as that class is accessible.