---
title: "Introduction"
manual: "TYPO3 Explained"
version: "11.5"
permalink: "https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3coreapi:typoscript-syntax-syntax-introduction@11.5"
source: "Configuration/TypoScriptSyntax/Syntax/Introduction.rst"
rendered: "2026-10-21T15:30:00+00:00"
---

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# Introduction {#typoscript-syntax-syntax-introduction}

TypoScript is internally handled as a (large) multidimensional PHP
array (see "[What Is TypoScript?](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3coreapi:typoscript-syntax-what-is-typoscript@11.5)"). Values are arranged in a
tree-like hierarchy. The "branches" are indicated with periods
(".") - a syntax borrowed from for example JavaScript and which
conveys the idea of defining objects/properties.

## Example {#typoscript-syntax-syntax-example}

**Extension examples, file Configuration/TypoScript/Syntax/Introduction/setup.typoscript**

```typoscript
myObject = [value 1]
myObject.myProperty = [value 2]
myObject.myProperty.firstProperty = [value 3]
myObject.myProperty.secondProperty = [value 4]
```

Referring to `myObject` we might call it: "*an object with the value
\[value 1\] and the property, 'myProperty' with the value \[value 2\].
Furthermore 'myProperty' has its own two properties, 'firstProperty'
and 'secondProperty' with a value each (\[value 3\] and \[value 4\]).*"

The TYPO3 backend contains tools that can be used to visualize the
tree structure of TypoScript. They are described in the relevant
section further of the two using reference documents
[TypoScript Reference](https://docs.typo3.org/m/typo3/reference-typoscript/11.5/en-us/Introduction/Index.html#typoscript-syntax-typoscript-templates) and
[TSconfig Reference](https://docs.typo3.org/m/typo3/reference-tsconfig/11.5/en-us/UsingSetting/Index.html#typoscript-syntax-using-setting).
The above piece of TypoScript would look like this:

![](../../../Images/AutomaticScreenshots/TypoScriptSyntax/SyntaxIntroduction.png)