php class methods used statically without class reference?

Question

I have a class like this:

class Utils{

   public function hello()
   {
      return "<b>Hello World</b></br>";
   }

}

Can I now do something directly like this in my page.php:

require_once("classes/Utils.php");

echo hello();

Or must I do this:

$u = new Utils;
$u->hello();

even though the function contains no object properties that need to be instantiated?

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 10:32:04Z

3

Yes, if you declare your function as static.

class Utils{

   public static function hello()
   {
      return "<b>Hello World</b></br>";
   }

}

and call it as

Utils::hello()

php static function

edited May 23, 2017 at 10:32

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answered Mar 20, 2013 at 14:52

Näbil Y

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2 Comments

user961627 Over a year ago

but is the Utils:: necessary as a prefix, rather than just hello()? Assuming there's no other class required in the file that also has a hello() method.

Näbil Y Over a year ago

Yes, that's what indicates a static function call. If you just write hello() you are calling a global function not from a class.

ITroubs · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-20 14:51:11Z

0

actually you call static methods like this:

Utils::hello();

answered Mar 20, 2013 at 14:51

ITroubs

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Comments

Mihai Matei · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-20 14:52:09Z

0

You can call it directly like:

echo Utils::hello();

Here is a PHPFiddle example

answered Mar 20, 2013 at 14:52

Mihai Matei

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