The __destruct method is called either during the shutdown sequence (i.e. end of execution of a script), or when there are no references to an object.

Remember that if you put a destruct() method in a subclass, you must call parent::destruct() if you want the parent's destruct method to execute (assuming there is one).

The method will be called even if exit() is called. However, if exit() is called from within a destructor, then no further destructors will be called.

Note: completely unrelated to Array Destructuring.