[Resolved] Setting multiple values in parent script via function

[davidjam]

I understand the scope rules as far as variables from the parent scope being "brought in" to a function via "global". I also understand that a value from the function can be returned back to the parent script via "return($value)". But in this case I have multiple values that I want the function to return to the parent script. Here is the simplified code:

function elements($elements="") {
	foreach($elements as $key=>$value) {
		$$key = new field($key,$value);
	}
}
elements(array("var1"=>"a value","var2"=>"another value", etc));
$var1->somefunction(); // Fatal error: Call to a member function on a non-object

Is there a way to "export" the values to the parent script?

[Sgarissta]

function elements($elements="") {
	foreach($elements as $key=>$value) {
		$return[$$key] = new field($key,$value);
	}
return $return;
}
$return = elements(array("var1"=>"a value","var2"=>"another value", etc));
extract($return);
$var1->somefunction(); 

The above code is untested, but I believe it should work.

[davidjam]

I tried the code you suggested and it didn't work. So to debug, I commented out the extract() and did a print_r, and the array did not get filled with the values from the function call.

Do you think the problem is with the variable variable. There is a note at the bottom of this link:
http://www.php.net/manual/en/language.variables.variable.php
regarding using variable variable with arrays. I don't understand it. I'm sure you will.

Grateful as always for the help.

[Sgarissta]

Again this is untested, but might work better for you. There is no need to have $$key as a key to the returned array. The value of key itself should be sufficient.

function elements($elements="") {
    foreach($elements as $key=>$value) {
        $return[$key] = new field($key,$value);
    }
return $return;
}
$return = elements(array("var1"=>"a value","var2"=>"another value", etc));
extract($return);
$var1->somefunction();

[davidjam]

Thanks a lot.

I just got swamped with work here at my "day job" so I'm out of the loop for a couple of days, I will test the code then and get back to you.

[Sgarissta]

Originally posted by davidjam
Thanks a lot.

I just got swamped with work here at my "day job" so I'm out of the loop for a couple of days, I will test the code then and get back to you.

No problem, feel free to PM me, as I tend to vanish for a few days at a time as well 😉

[davidjam]

Hi,

My so-called day job required typesetting a stack of ballots for the upcoming election for our county... dull dull dull. :o

Thanks sgarrista for your help. I really appreciate it. To show more what I was doing (and it works!) here is the code:

$elements = array("first_name"=>"required","last_name"=>"required","company_name"=>"","company_name_2"=>"label((Other Business Name))", etc);
extract(load_elements());

function load_elements() {
	global $elements;
	$return = array();
	foreach($elements as $key=>$value) {
		$return[$key] = new field($key,$value);
	}
	return $return;
}