cannot use a static function in a static field declaration

Question

I have a static field in a class with a regex. This regex requires a list of values that are in a static array, so I create a static function that returns the group (e.g. (a|b|c|d)) to be inserted in the regex. Problem is that I can't call a static function when I declare a static field.

I would need to put the value returned by the function inside the field.

Example:

class A {
    public static function Foo()
    {
        return "Foo";
    }

    public static $Bar = "lol". self::Foo();
}

echo A::$Bar;

I get

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '(', expecting ',' or ';' on line 7

How can I solve that?

that ain't possible in PHP, when setting properties, they need to be simple declarations. php.net/manual/en/language.oop5.properties.php. its stated in the first paragraph — Kevin
– Kevin, Commented Apr 15, 2015 at 10:56
The workround is to use echo A::$Foo(); instead, as I already said — Mark Baker
– Mark Baker, Commented Apr 15, 2015 at 11:05
The result of Foo() is just a part of the string which is in Bar, I will edit the question — Phate01
– Phate01, Commented Apr 15, 2015 at 11:10

Rizier123 · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-15 11:02:59Z

1

You can't initialize a static property with "dynamic" values. You can only initialize it with a literal or a constant.

You can also see this in the manual:

Like any other PHP static variable, static properties may only be initialized using a literal or constant; expressions are not allowed. So while you may initialize a static property to an integer or array (for instance), you may not initialize it to another variable, to a function return value, or to an object.

If you want to use the static function just use it like this:

echo A::Foo();

edited Apr 15, 2015 at 11:02

answered Apr 15, 2015 at 10:58

Rizier123

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1 Comment

Rizier123 Over a year ago

@Phate01 No, you can't assign the static method to the property. (Just added how you use your static method)

Mark Baker · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-15 11:14:30Z

0

Rather than trying to do something in a way that the language doesn't permit, reverse your thinking and do it in a way that the language will allow:

class A {
    public static function Foo()
    {
        return "lol" . self::$Bar;
    }

    public static $Bar = "Foo";
}

echo A::Foo();

answered Apr 15, 2015 at 11:14

Mark Baker

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