PHP OOP - Extending classes

Question

I'm quite new to OOP and there are a few things I'd like to ask.

I'm writing a plugin for WordPress using OOP and I want to find out how I can allow other plugin developers to extend and redefine certain functions.

I have the main code wrapped in a class as follows and the class is instantiated at the bottom of the file:

class MyPlugin {

    // .. methods here ..

    public function myMethod(){
        // do something
    }

}

$myplugin = new MyPlugin;

However, I also want another plugin to be able to rewrite myMethod() by extending the class.

class OtherPlugin extends MyPlugin {
    public function myMethod(){
        // do something else
    }
}

But in order for $myplugin->myMethod() to 'do something else', should I do this to override the $myplugin object:

$myplugin = new OtherPlugin;

Nathanael · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-27 05:27:32Z

1

Yes, you would want to reload that variable with the new, modified class... unless you pass by reference. Check it out... it's a neat little trick.

Happy coding! =)

answered Nov 27, 2012 at 5:27

Nathanael

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2 Comments

mushroom Over a year ago

Thanks for your answer. But what happens if my object already has properties in it? Wouldn't reloading the variable reset all set properties? And could you explain a little more about passing by reference? I've read the PHP manual and know how it works, but I don't quite get how it can be applied in this situation.

Nathanael Over a year ago

Unless I'm making some grave mistake in understanding what you're asking, I don't believe there would be a problem. You're running the same class, so everything will be identical apart from the extension. Run a test case yourself, and come back if you have any issues! And by passing by reference, I was simply giving an alternative to explicitly resetting the variable. It's not really important either way for your purposes.

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