PHP default function argument as a T_VARIABLE?

Question

I'm trying to provide a member variable as a default value for a class method.

I know it's impossible to use a variable as a default value for a non-class function, but it seems like there should be a way to do this within a class.

There must be a way to do it - perhaps I just have the wrong syntax:

class test{
  private $test = '';

  __construct(){
    $this->test = "whatever";
  }

  function getTest($var = $this->test){
    echo $var;
  }
}

but this throws an error saying something like:

$this->test as a function argument default value is not allowed. unexpected T_VARIABLE.

Any thoughts?

Gavin Gilmour · Accepted Answer · 2010-02-08 18:59:46Z

10

From the manual:-

The default value must be a constant expression, not (for example) a variable, a class member or a function call.

I'd probably just do something like:-

<?php

class Test {

    public function __construct() {

        $this->test = "whatever";

    }

    public function getTest($var=NULL) {

        if (is_null($var)) {
            $var = $this->test;
        }

        echo $var;
    }
}
?>

edited Feb 8, 2010 at 18:59

answered Feb 8, 2010 at 18:52

Gavin Gilmour

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Comments

Matt · Accepted Answer · 2010-02-08 18:51:07Z

3

I believe you can only use constants (strings, numbers, etc) in that syntax (but I could be wrong about that).

I suggest this alternative:

function getTest($var = null) {
    if (is_null($var)) {
        $var = $this->test;
    }
}

answered Feb 8, 2010 at 18:51

Matt

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