PHP pass variable outside of function without global variables

Question

Let's say I have a function in php like this:

<?php function hello() {
   $x = 2;
}

and I want to use that variable outside of this function without using global, since I've heard it's a bad idea because of it's security issues. (right?).

Anyway, what is the best way to get this value out? I would be able to do this in java by using "this". But not sure how that works in PHP. Thanks.

Update:

This is the code I needed help with:

<?php
require('includes/connect.php');

function connectHouseObjects() {

        global $mysqli;
        /* Register a prepared statement */
        if ($stmt = $mysqli->prepare('SELECT x FROM house_room1 WHERE user_id = ?')) {

                /* Bind parametres */
                $stmt->bind_param('i', $user_id);

                /* Insert the parameter values */
                $user_id = 1;

                /* Execute the query */
                $stmt->execute();

                /* Bind resultatet */
                $stmt->bind_result($x);

                while ($stmt->fetch()) {
                    //looping through the x's and y's
                }

                /* Close statement */
                $stmt->close();
        return $x;
            } else {
                /* Something went wrong */
                echo 'Something went terrible wrong'     . $mysqli->error;
            }
        }
?>

@JohnConde so taking the example above, would I need to return it there? and what if I have several values? — user3287771
– user3287771, Commented Feb 19, 2014 at 22:12
return $x. $x can be an array which holds multiple values. — John Conde
– John Conde, Commented Feb 19, 2014 at 22:15

Kyle · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-19 22:12:21Z

5

John Conde is right but to show you the code it would be

<?php 

function hello() {
   $x = 2;
   return $x;
}

$var = hello();
echo $var;

?>

answered Feb 19, 2014 at 22:12

Kyle

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Comments

Ali MasudianPour · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-19 22:12:37Z

5

You can simply return your data:

function hello() {
   $x = 2;
   return $x;
}

and use its result wherever you want;

$x=hello();

answered Feb 19, 2014 at 22:12

Ali MasudianPour

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Comments

Chase · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-19 22:34:40Z

Take this for example:

<?php 

function hello(){
    $x=2;
    //this is where you get it out
    return $x;
}
//here we are outside the function
$x = hello();
//$x now equals 2;
?>

Returning the variable from the function allows you to call the function and assign it outside.

Going more object oriented:

<?php

class Talk
{
    protected $message;

    public function setMessage($message){
        //this will set your class variable to what ever is in $message
        $this->message = $message;
    }
    public function getMessage()
    {
        //This will give you what ever your current message is
        return $this->message;
    }
}
//Then to use this you could do
$talk = new Talk();
//That sets up $talk to be an instance of the talk class

$talk->setMessage('Hello');
//This will then sets the message in talk to hello then to retrieve it just do

$message = $talk->getMessage();

//Now outside the class we have a variable $message that contains 'Hello'

Roxxorfreak · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-19 22:14:45Z

0

You may also create a class, just like in Java, and use a class variable that can be accessed from other functions in that class.

answered Feb 19, 2014 at 22:14

Roxxorfreak

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Comments

matewka · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-19 22:16:20Z

0

You can simply return the value outside the function:

<?php
function hello() {
    $x = 2;
    return $x;
}

$x = hello();

If you want to return more than one value, you can use the list() function, while returning values as an array:

<?php
function hello() {
    $x = 2;
    $y = 3;
    return array($x, $y);
}

list($x, $y) = hello();

You can find more information about the list() in the PHP manual

answered Feb 19, 2014 at 22:16

matewka

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