# Static Classes You can directly access static classes. The syntax is roughly the same as in PHP. > **Note** > > Direct access to PHP classes is not recommended. This ties the > underlying application code structure directly to the presentation, > and also complicates template syntax. It is recommended to register > plugins which insulate templates from PHP classes/objects. Use at your > own discretion. ## Examples **class constant BAR** ```smarty {assign var=foo value=myclass::BAR} ``` **method result** ```smarty {assign var=foo value=myclass::method()} ``` **method chaining** ```smarty {assign var=foo value=myclass::method1()->method2} ``` **property bar of class myclass** ```smarty {assign var=foo value=myclass::$bar} ``` **using Smarty variable bar as class name** ```smarty {assign var=foo value=$bar::method} ```