PHP use function return value as array

Question

Why is it that this works:

        $cacheMatchesNotPlayed = $cache->load('externalData');
        $cacheMatchesNotPlayed = $cacheMatchesNotPlayed['matchesNotPlayed'];

But this doesn't work:

        $cacheMatchesNotPlayed = $cache->load('externalData')['matchesNotPlayed'];

Is there some reason for it? The second bit is easier to write.

Tyler Carter · Accepted Answer · 2010-05-17 17:58:26Z

7

Because PHP does not support that syntax.

answered May 17, 2010 at 17:58

Tyler Carter

61.7k22 gold badges133 silver badges153 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

3 Comments

salathe Over a year ago

@Andrey: I can think of far stupider limitations besides this. :-)

Andrey Over a year ago

@salathe - i said one of :)

salathe Over a year ago

@Andrey: haha, fair enough :)

salathe · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-13 08:48:44Z

6

PHP does not support the function array dereferencing, which you want to do.

See an RFC on the subject http://wiki.php.net/rfc/functionarraydereferencing, and the associated mailing list conversations, which was declined roughly this time last year. While there was support for this, and it's still a common request (usually "why doesn't this work?"), there are no plans in motion to introduce this syntax.

As for why, quite simply the code implementing it has not been submitted for approval (if it has been written at all).

Update

This feature has been implemented in the trunk (main development) branch of PHP and will likely be included in the next non-bugfix version (5.4.0). For anyone wanting to play with FAD, feel free to download a trunk snapshot.

edited May 13, 2011 at 8:48

answered May 17, 2010 at 18:05

salathe

52.1k12 gold badges108 silver badges134 bronze badges

2 Comments

Richard Knop Over a year ago

Is it difficult to implement this functionality or is there some other reason for this? Because it's a really annoying "feature" of PHP, I always use it that way and then wonder why my code is not working.

salathe Over a year ago

I've never looked into what would be necessary to implement it, so I can't really say how difficult it would be. All I can say is that there have been voices raised on the subject for many years, but still no code. Though perhaps the complexity of the task and lack of patches submitted bear no real correlation.

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 12:30:45Z

5

PHP just does not support array dereferencing in the way you have described. Also covered here:

PHP syntax for dereferencing function result

edited May 23, 2017 at 12:30

CommunityBot

11 silver badge

answered May 17, 2010 at 17:59

user7675

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

PHP use function return value as array

3 Answers 3

3 Comments

2 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

3 Comments

2 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related