diff --git a/functions/var.xml b/functions/var.xml
index 6bc5849647..ad2406c523 100644
--- a/functions/var.xml
+++ b/functions/var.xml
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>
-<!-- $Revision: 1.88 $ -->
+<!-- $Revision: 1.89 $ -->
  <reference id="ref.variables">
   <title>Variable Functions</title>
   <titleabbrev>Variables</titleabbrev>
@@ -898,9 +898,9 @@ print isset ($foo); // FALSE
      </funcprototype>
     </funcsynopsis>
     <simpara>
-     This function displays information about the values of variables
-     in a way that's readable by humans.  If given a <type>string</type>, 
-     <type>integer</type> or <type>float</type>, the value itself will be 
+     <function>print_r</function> displays information about a variable
+     in a way that's readable by humans.  If given a <type>string</type>,
+     <type>integer</type> or <type>float</type>, the value itself will be
      printed.  If given an <type>array</type>,
      values will be presented in a format that shows keys and
      elements.  Similar notation is used for <type>object</type>s.
@@ -910,23 +910,56 @@ print isset ($foo); // FALSE
      pointer to the end. Use <function>reset</function> to bring
      it back to beginning.
     </simpara>
-    &tip.ob-capture;
-    <simpara>
-     Compare <function>print_r</function> to
-     <function>var_dump</function>.
-    </simpara>
+     &tip.ob-capture;
     <para>
      <informalexample>
       <programlisting role="php">
 <![CDATA[
+<pre>
 <?php
-$a = array (1, 2, array ("a", "b", "c"));
-print_r ($a);
+    $a = array ('a' => 'apple', 'b' => 'banana', 'c' => array ('x','y','z'));
+    print_r ($a);
 ?>
+</pre>
 ]]>
       </programlisting>
      </informalexample>
     </para>
+    <para>
+     Which will output:
+     <screen>
+<![CDATA[
+<pre>
+Array
+(
+    [a] => apple
+    [b] => banana
+    [c] => Array
+        (
+            [0] => x
+            [1] => y
+            [2] => z
+        )
+)
+</pre>
+]]>
+      </screen>
+     </para>
+    <note>
+     <simpara>
+      Prior to PHP 4.0.4, <function>print_r</function> will continue forever
+      if given an <type>array</type> or <type>object</type> that
+      contains a direct or indirect reference to itself.  An example
+      is <literal>print_r($GLOBALS)</literal> because
+      <literal>$GLOBALS</literal> is itself a global variable that
+      contains a reference to itself.
+     </simpara>
+    </note>
+    <simpara>
+      See also <function>ob_start</function>, <function>var_dump</function>,
+      and <function>var_export</function>.
+    </simpara>
+
    </refsect1>
   </refentry>