Returning Values (question)

hismightiness

In the PHP documentation, the statement for Returning Values is as follows:

Values are returned by using the optional return statement. Any type may be returned, including lists and objects. This causes the function to end its execution immediately and pass control back to the line from which it was called.

What about when you are calling the function from within another function? For instance, say function A adds the string to any string submitted, and function B calls function A like so:

<?php
function A($var1){
     $var1.="me2";
     return $var1;
}

function B($var2){
     $writethis=A($var2);
     echo $writethis;
}

B("PRINTME!!!");
?>

As long as I didn't screw up either little function, the output should be:

PRINTME!!!me2

Is this true? Or Does function A return you to the line calling function B instead of returning you to the line you left off inside function B?

If I messed up my functions, I hope I at least gave you an idea of the question I am asking.

LordShryku

For that, you need to make a class. Or call them seperately.

hismightiness

So you're telling me that the return statement returns you to the line in the code calling the initial function, not to the previous function?

Ugh! I was hoping to not have to learn how to create a class just yet. They have always confused me.

LordShryku

I'm really not the authority on functions, so someone may come along and prove me wrong, but as far as I know, without a class, you would need to do something like this...

 <?php 
function A($var1){ 
     $var1.="me2"; 
     return $var1; 
} 

// this function's pretty useless, but just for example
function B($var2){ 
     $writethis=$var2; 
     echo $writethis; 
} 

$foo = A("PRINTME!!!");
B($foo); 
?>

rpanning

Originally posted by hismightiness
What about when you are calling the function from within another function?

It will go back to where you called the function, in this case inside the function.

Originally posted by hismightiness
As long as I didn't screw up either little function, the output should be:

PRINTME!!!me2

Is this true?

Yes

Originally posted by hismightiness
Or Does function A return you to the line calling function B instead of returning you to the line you left off inside function B?

It does go back to inside function B were you called A. This is true whenever you call a function.

Both your and LordShryku's examples result in the same output. Depending on how you are writing your script you may want to use yours or LordShryku's way of calling the functions. It all depends on how you use them. Classes also help with grouping functions but thats entirely different. Hope this helps, you were right on the nail with your questions.

hismightiness

Excellent! Thank you both for your input. This will be very helpful! Have a great day...