We can be more clear with the extension of the given example.Before PHP Version 8.1<?php $a = 1; $globals = $GLOBALS; $globals['a'] = 2; echo $a; // 2 echo $globals['a']; // 2 echo $GLOBALS['a']; // 2?>After PHP Version 8.1<?php $a = 1; $globals = $GLOBALS; $globals['a'] = 2; echo $a; // 1 echo $globals['a']; // 2 echo $GLOBALS['a']; // 1?>