Defining Functions

Dragonfist07

When trying to write my own functions, I have a problem. I try and set aside an entire file filled with functions containing variables and include/require them in another file.

When I put the function in the main file, the variables work. But when they are in the included/required file, they do not. At first I thought this could be some type of global variable problem. But I'm not really sure.

I tried to figure out how to work around this but I have failed miserably. Can anyone shed some light on this situation please?

Hard_Styler

pass the variables to your functions

sampeFunction($var1, $var2)

this makes for easier to understand code and the function can be easier modified and/or used again.

Dragonfist07

So would this be correct? I surprise myself because I'm not an idiot when it comes to PHP.. but when it comes to defining functions i'm clueless.

function mysqlvars($host, $user, $pass, $db, $table)
{
$host = 'localhost';
$user = 'poo';
$pass = 'testing';
$db = 'mydatabase';
$table = 'mytable';
}

I tried that, but it didn't work.

devinemke

i think you need to do a little reading about variable scope. functions create their own local scope apart from the global scope. there are three basic ways of referencing variables inside a local function scope:

passing the variable as an argument:

function my_function($var)
{
	echo 'I can echo out ' . $var . ' inside this fucntion.';
}

using the "global" keyword:

$var = 'this variable outside of my_fucntion';

function my_function()
{
	global $var; 
	echo 'I can echo out ' . $var . ' inside this fucntion.';
}

3. referencing the variable as an index of the $GLOBALS array:

$var = 'this variable outside of my_fucntion';

function my_function()
{
	echo 'I can echo out ' . $GLOBALS['var'] . ' inside this fucntion.';
}

note that the superglobals ($GET, $POST, $SESSION, $SERVER, etc...) are automatically available in every scope.

Dragonfist07

I've actually read that site several times over. Forums are usually a last resort. I still don't get it after your explanation. Which probably makes me an idiot. Normally I don't like asking for the answer to my own problems, but can you give me a hint as to what I would start doing in order to get that to work?

devinemke

Originally posted by Dragonfist07
...but can you give me a hint as to what I would start doing in order to get that to work?

get what to work?

Dragonfist07

I want to store:

$host = 'localhost';
$user = 'poo';
$pass = 'testing';
$db = 'mydatabase';
$table = 'mytable';

in an include file. As a function. And be able to call it from another place (but seeing as how it's in an include file that's already understood).

devinemke

Originally posted by Dragonfist07
...in an include file. As a function.

you're still not making much sense. if you want those variables to be in an included file simply use [man]include[/man]. you say you want them to be in a function, what do you want the function to do exactly?

Dragonfist07

A function that just contains variables that's all. I'd rather have a stupid yet simple example explained rather than a complex one. This way I could figure out on my own how to do a more complex function once I got the simple one figured out...

Weedpacket

Originally posted by Dragonfist07
A function that just contains variables that's all.

That doesn't really make much sense; functions do things with variables, they're not used to store variables.

If you insist,

<?php
function set_a_bunch_of_variables()
{
 global $this, $that, $the_other;
$this = 'something';
$that = 'something else';
$the_other = 'again, something else';
}
?>

But you're right - it is stupid. You'd be better off leaving out the function.

<?php
$this = 'something';
$that = 'something else';
$the_other = 'again, something else';
?>

Dragonfist07

Thank you for your help.

Hard_Styler

if your wanting to connect to a database we use an include to do that at work

usually called

database_connect.php

and we just include it whenever we want a connection to the db. all the usernames, passwords and databases and whatnot are stored in the php include.

no functions...