Optional function fields possible?

[jerichoholic16]

OK, here is the thing

I have a set of class instances $Table->Open(); and $Table->Close();

Now, obviously the open instant OPENS and BEGINS the table code up until where the content is to be placed, and the close instant CLOSES and ENDS the table code after where the content is to be placed. Now, I was thinking, there has GOT to be a way to insert headers and footers through the class, and I figured that I could add variables to the function. So i did.

$Table->Open($Header);
$Table->Close($Footer);

Now my only problem, is that I only want to have headers and footers where I need them, with the current way I have it I need headers and footers EVERYWHERE i insert these two functions, isn there a way to make it an optional field? So that when I dont include it I dont get errors?

class Theme
{
	function Open($header){
		global $base_url, $user;
		define("_TABLE_HEADER", $header);
		include($base_url."/Templates/".$user->theme()."/OpenTable.tpl");
	}

function Close($footer){
	global $base_url, $user;
	define("_TABLE_FOOTER", $footer);
	include($base_url."/Templates/".$user->theme()."/CloseTable.tpl");
}
}

$Table = new Theme;

[drew010]

you can set a default value like

function Open($header = NULL) {

so if nothing is passed in, i.e. $var->Open();

you are able to do in the open function..

if($header != NULL) {
  include($header);
}
//rest of your code here

that way if nothing is passed, it doesnt include anything.

[TimTimTimma]

I created a new account cause thats an OLDDD ONE up there, .. anyway

I made the changes correctly I THINK, but its not working..?

class Theme
{
	function Open($header = NULL){
		global $base_url, $user;
		if($header === NULL){
			define("_TABLE_HEADER", "");
		}else{
			define("_TABLE_HEADER", $header);
		}
		include($base_url."/Templates/".$user->theme()."/OpenTable.tpl");
	}

function Close($footer = NULL){
	global $base_url, $user;
			if($footer === NULL){
		define("_TABLE_FOOTER", "");
	}else{
		define("_TABLE_FOOTER", $footer);
	}
	include($base_url."/Templates/".$user->theme()."/CloseTable.tpl");
}
}

whats wrong?

when i call back the class and want a header or footer I put

$Table->Open("whatever");
$Table->Close("whatever");

but nothing comes back..? whats wrong

[drew010]

ok maybe with the way the class is setup its easier to do this:

function Open($header = ""){
        global $base_url, $user;
        define("_TABLE_HEADER", $header);
        include($base_url."/Templates/".$user->theme()."/OpenTable.tpl"); 
}

[TimTimTimma]

Now with the code set up like that,

if i wrote it out like $Table->Open("test"); wouldn't the above code RESET the header to "" ?

[drew010]

with optional fields, if nothing is passed the variable parameter gets the value that you tell it, but if something is passed, its actually overwritten.
so when you pass in "test" the "" is replaced by test.

[TimTimTimma]

thx, works like a charm!