Problems with redefining class

Anon

I have a file called dbase.class in which I declare a Database class that I utilize in all of my MySQL scripts. However, in the homepage of my site I have different pages included that show different sections of my databases (i.e. the last 5 chat topics, the newest site adddions, the latest poll, etc.). All of these scripts utilize the dbase.class file, or they should for codability. However, I haven't been able to make it that easy because I get errors if two scripts include in my homepage both include() dbase.class then the script throws an error due to redefining the Database class. Therefore, my question basically boils down to:
Is there a PHP coding method to determine if a class is already defined?
Such as:
//dbase.class
<?php
if (!class_is_defined(Database)) {
//Declare the class
}
?>

That way if it already is defined and I reinclude it it won't redeclare the class and I won't get any errors...

Any help, or should I go back to the drawing board with my coding?

Thanks in advance,
Justin Kohlhepp

Anon

Hi Justin.

Since you are using this class in a number of places perhaps you should use the auto_prepend_file option in your php.ini. This will automaticaly include the specified file in every php script when it is parsed. That would avoid duplicate includes.

Anon

One thing you can do is set a variable or define a constant inside the include() file but outside the class. Then check this variable/constant before each include().

Anon

Problem with that solution is:
(1) I don't have admin over the server it is a virtual domain on a shared server :-(
(2) I've never installed PHP and no nothing about the server end of it...

But thanks for the advice and if I can ever afford to put together my own server I will consider it.

Justin

Anon

Thanks rod,

That is exactly the sort of clever solution that I knew I should've been able to think of but someone in this forum definitely would. <GRIN>

Justin

Anon

Problem with that solution is:
(1) I don't have admin over the server it is a virtual domain on a shared server :-(
(2) I've never installed PHP and no nothing about the server end of it...
<<
I see Justin gave you another good solution.

I wanted to note that you don't always need admin rights to effect the php.ini solution. I'm on a virtual domain on a shared server as well. If your server uses Apache (highly likely) then you can put your php.ini settings in a .htaccess file like so:

--snip--
php3_track_vars on
php3_track_errors on
php3_magic_quotes_gpc on
php3_include_path /mypath/php/phplib/php/
php3_auto_prepend_file /mypath/php/phplib/php/prepend.php3
--snip--

Apache will read this file and affect your php config with these settings.

hth

Anon

Thanks a lot...
That is very interesting. I will investigate whether or not that will work on my server. I know they use Apache on a Linux box but I don't know the details of their configuration.
Justin