How do I define global variables from inside a function?

[Vigilante]

I've already worked out everything to do with getting their values and setting the variables the only problem is that they aren't global.

Is there a php function for this? I tried defining my variables as keys of the $GLOBALS array but it just reported them as being undefined on the line I was trying to set them.

[ednark]

you mean $GLOBALS plural not $GLOBAL singluar right?...

and $GLOBALS not $_GLOBALS like the other super global arrays...

just saying $GLOBALS['var_name'] = $value anywhere in your code should work

[Vigilante]

Yes. So can you tell me how to make a variable global when I am setting it?

Defining it as $GLOBALS['varname']=value; did not work, it just gave me a lot of undefined variable messages on the line that assigns the variables. In other words, the code works perfectly when not in a function but now that it is, all the variables it creates are out of scope with the rest of the page.

[ednark]

test a page on your server with this. maybe it will help you see where it is screwing up.

my output is:

local variable 'var' : isset(no) :
after fun() : local variable 'var' : isset(no) :
after fun2() : local variable 'var' : isset(no) :
after fun3() : local variable 'var' : isset(yes) : baz
after fun4() : local variable 'var' : isset(yes) : gad

<?php

function fun() {
    $var = 'foo';
}

function fun2() {
    $var = $GLOBALS['var'];
    $var = 'bar';
}

function fun3() {
    $var =& $GLOBALS['var'];
    $var = 'baz';
}

function fun4() {
    $GLOBALS['var'] = 'gad';
}


echo "local variable 'var' : isset(";
echo isset($var) ? 'yes' : 'no';
echo ") : ". $var ."<br>";

fun();
echo "after fun() : local variable 'var' : isset(";
echo isset($var) ? 'yes' : 'no';
echo ") : ". $var ."<br>";

fun2();
echo "after fun2() : local variable 'var' : isset(";
echo isset($var) ? 'yes' : 'no';
echo ") : ". $var ."<br>";

fun3();
echo "after fun3() : local variable 'var' : isset(";
echo isset($var) ? 'yes' : 'no';
echo ") : ". $var ."<br>";

fun4();
echo "after fun4() : local variable 'var' : isset(";
echo isset($var) ? 'yes' : 'no';
echo ") : ". $var ."<br>";

?>
[/ccode]

[Tekron-X]

Inside a function you use the global keyword like in this example

<?php
//common_db.inc
$dbhost = 'can't show';
$dbusername = 'can't show';
$dbuserpassword = 'can't show';
$default_dbname = 'can't show';

$MYSQL_ERRNO = ' ';
$MYSQL_ERROR = ' ';

function db_connect()
{
global $dbhost, $dbusername, $dbuserpassword, $default_dbname;
global $MYSQL_ERRNO, $MYSQL_ERROR;

$link_id = mysql_connect($dbhost, $dbusername, $dbuserpassword);
if(!link_id)
{
$MYSQL_ERRNO = 0;
$MYSQL_ERROR = "Connection failed to the host $dbhost.";
}
else if(empty($dbname) && !mysql_select_db($default_dbname))
{
$MYSQL_ERRNO = mysql_errno();
$MYSQL_ERROR = mysql_error();
return 0;
}
else return $link_id;
}

function sql_error()
{
global $MYSQL_ERRNO, $MYSQL_ERROR;

if(empty($MYSQL_ERROR))
{
$MYSQL_ERRNO = mysql_errno();
$MYSQL_ERROR = mysql_error();
}
return "$MYSQL_ERRNO: $MYSQL_ERROR";
}
?>

For security reasons I had to replace some stuff with can't show at the top 😉 Also sry about the formatting

[Vigilante]

Here is the loop in my function which sets the variables.

As I said, this all worked when it wasn't in the function, the only problem is that the variables aren't global.

while ($row=mysql_fetch_array($call, MYSQL_ASSOC)) {
    $typename=$type . 'name';
    $typevalue=$type . 'value';
    $$row[$typename]=$row[$typevalue];
}

I tried using $GLOBALS['varname'] but, no dice.

[Tekron-X]

Use the above it should work because that script is bug and error Free 🙂

[Vigilante]

I alredy tried

global $$row[$typename];

It didn't work. To be honest, Tekron, the script you posted was completely useless to me. What I'm looking for is a very specific answer to a very specific question.

[Tekron-X]

I used to try to show how you use global vars in functions but the var must be declared b4 you use it.

[Vigilante]

AHHHH!

thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you.

My problem was that I tried setting the variables as global after defining them, when I used the GLOBAL line beforehand, the function started working.

[Tekron-X]

Oh ok np bro glad I was able to help you :p