$this for static classes?

[mburbulla]

how can i call a static method from another static method in the same class without knowing the classname?

e.g.:

class test {
    function a() {
        ???::b();
    }

function b() {
    // do something
}
}

i do not want to use "test::b();" of course.

thanks,
martin

[bobthedog]

I am sure this is covered in depth in the manual , but to go over it quickly...

class test {
    function a() {
        $this->b();
    }

function b() {
    // do something
}
}

[mburbulla]

this is, why i said static. one cannot use $this in a static function call.

i wouldn't bother this forum before searching the manual :-)

[bobthedog]

Well - as far as I know.... no there is no way to do it. I would question why you wouldn't know the name of the class you are currently in, but I suppose if you are dynamically creating a class then there could be a reason for it.

Maybe if we get a bit more information someone may be able to think of a nicer and better way of doing what you are trying to achieve.

[mburbulla]

ok, here is the story:
i have a basic "Manager" class to perform tasks on database objects common to all objects. a derived class e.g. "AddressManager" adds some necessary functions for the "Address" object. All methods are static.

class Manager {
    function getObject($id) {
        $result = Database::query(...);
        ???::getObjectFromResult($result);
    }
}

class AddressManager extends Manager {
    function getObjectFromResult($result) {
        // do something
    }
}

AddressManager::getObject($myId);

how can i make sure that the function AddressManager::getObject(...) calls AddressManager::getObjectFromResult(...)?

the problem could easily be solved if i would instanciate the managers but i'd rather avoid the overhead of instanciating so many manager objects.

greetings,
martin

[bobthedog]

Ok - I think I better understand your problem now. As I see it, there is no way you are going to be able to do this with your current structure. If you have a later version of PHP v4.3.0+, then you could try utilising the CLASS (I think that's right) constant which may define the class you are currently in, although I am not sure if it does or not since I don't have an install of v4.3.0 kicking around anywhere to test on.

A workable alternative would be to slightly restructure your code, and utilise the "parent" keyword.

The following is a quick example of what you might like to do, but I'm sure given more time you could work this into a decent solution: -

class Manager {
    function _getObject($id) {
        return(Database::query(...));
    }
}

class AddressManager extends Manager {
    function getObject($id) {
        AddressManager::getObjectFromResult(parent::_getObject());
    }
    function getObjectFromResult($result) {
        // Do something
    }
}

AddressManager::getObject($myId);

I know this seems a bit tedious, but it should work and give you the result you are looking for.

Let me know ya comments.

[mburbulla]

uuh, you are right, i could do it like that, but i'd have to define all functions (in your example getObject) in all my 20+ derived managers. well, maybe it's the best solution now. i have to think about it...

another solution (it's more of a hack) might be:

function callStatic($class, $func, ...) {
    call_user_func( array($class,$func), ...);
}

in Manager:
function getObject($id) {
    function xy() {
        callStatic(__CLASS__, 'getObjectFromResult', ...);
    }
}

but before i use this, i'd switch the programming language :-) and i am not sure if CLASS would be "Manager" or "AddressManager" in the example anyway (didn't test it).

imho, this functionality is simply missing in php.

thank you very much for your help,
martin