Global variables

TheJuice

I don't really understand why it is not possible to declare a real global variable (or maybe I don't know how to do it...).

I think it is a real hassle to have to write
'global $myvariable1, $myvariable2, ...'
in each function where you want to propagate the variables.

Wouldn't it be easier to just write 'global $myvariable' at the beginning of the code, as in C, and then the variable would be made available in all the functions, without having to redeclare all of them in each function...

What do you think? Is there a precise reason it is this way?

Weedpacket

I think it's to help you wean yourself off of relying on global variables so much; they're generally considered bad programming practice, as they lead to more confusing and less portable code, and can hinder optimisations and result in slower code.

TheJuice

Yeah I know it is considered bad programming.

But here I don't have much choice:

I use a CMS (PHPNuke not to name it), and I work with multiple includes.
In my index.php page, I have functions for each page I want to include:
If my url is "...?page=print" I have a switch that launches this:
"include ('print.php');"

When I have for example connections settings I use in my included pages, I have to globalize my variables in each function, sub-function, etc...

The only way I found to avoid this is to use "if (page == 'print')..."
This way I don't have to globalize my variables, because I don't use functions...