Function to execute a string as PHP code and return the printed text from code

Question

I am trying to create a function that would parse php code and return the result in pure text, as if it was being read in a browser. Like this one:

public function PHPToText($data, $php_text) {
    //TODO code
    return $text; 
}

I would call the function like this, with the params that you see below:

$data = array('email' => '[email protected]');
$string = "<?= " . '$data' . "['email']" . "?>";

$text = $this->PHPToText($data, $string);

Now echo $text should give: [email protected]

Any ideas or a function that can achieve this nicely?

i am having trouble understanding what the function should do.. — amosrivera
– amosrivera, Commented Oct 5, 2011 at 15:57
I've voted up all answers for remembering the bads of eval(), though don't be afraid to use it. Just take care what you are evaling. Of course dont eval directly user input, but use it nevertheless. All php functions have a reason to be there. — Elzo Valugi
– Elzo Valugi, Commented Oct 5, 2011 at 16:02
php code is never read by the browser, the server does everything. — Zirak
– Zirak, Commented Oct 5, 2011 at 16:07

Marc B · Accepted Answer · 2011-10-05 15:58:37Z

4

It's a bad bad bad bad bad idea, but basically:

function PHPToText($data, $string) {
    ob_start();
    eval($string);
    return ob_get_clean();
}

You really should reconsider this sort of design. Executing dynamically generated code is essentially NEVER a good idea.

answered Oct 5, 2011 at 15:58

Marc B

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Comments

Stephan · Accepted Answer · 2011-10-05 15:57:57Z

4

in this case it should be done with eval()

But always remember: eval is evil!

answered Oct 5, 2011 at 15:57

Stephan

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Ben Swinburne · Accepted Answer · 2011-10-05 15:58:09Z

2

You will need to use the eval() function http://www.php.net/eval in order to parse the tags inside your variable $string

answered Oct 5, 2011 at 15:58

Ben Swinburne

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