form variables

[Anon]

hello-
i have a form which calls a .php file...
when i:
echo $variable

it works fine, but the form variables are not seen from inside functions...

so this works:

<?php
echo $variable;
?>

---

this doesnt:

<?php
getVar();

function getVar() {
echo $variable;
}
?>

why is that? and how do I get around it?

thanks so much-
Mac

[Anon]

you are declaring function after you are calling function. its always vice - versa first declare function then call the function .

[sepodati]

That doesn't matter, you have to learn about variable scope. Variables inside of functions are different than those outside of the function and are destroyed when the function is completed. Declare you variable as global or pass it to the function if you want to use it in a function...

$first_name = "John";
$middle_name = "Billy";
$last_name = "Holmes";

function show_me($l_name)
{
global $first_name;

$middle_name = "Warren";

echo "$first_name $middle_name $l_name";
}

show_me($last_name); // "John Warren Holmes"
echo "$first_name $middle_name $last_name"; // "John Billy Holmes"

That will work and shows you both methods and variable scope. Notice how you have two $middle_name variables. They are different b/c one is inside a function, the other is outside. $first_name is the same in both because you passed it as global. $last_name is the same in both because you passed it as a parameter to the function.

Hope that helps...

---John Holmes...

[Anon]

Thanks holmes , for telling it the right way.