How do I use a private php class member variable as a key in an array?

Question

I am trying to access a private member variable to use as a key in an array.

My class looks similar to this:

<?php
class MyClassName {
  private $value;
  private function MyFunction($array){
    $some_html = "<b> $array[$this->value] <b>"; // error occurring on this line
    return some_html;
  }
}
?>

The error that I am getting is

PHP Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '-', expecting ']

If I store the private member variable before using it in the array there is no syntax error. This is interpreted fine:

<?php
class MyClassName {
  private $value;
  private function MyFunction($array){
    $cache_key = $this->value;
    $some_html = "<b> $array[$cache_key] <b>";
    return $some_html;
  }
}
?>

Is there something I am missing? I want to improve my understanding of what is happening here. Thanks.

And what does MyFunction returns, actually, when you run it (in second case)? — alanmm
– alanmm, Commented Oct 13, 2015 at 18:02
There is nothing wrong with your first example, and in the second you are copying the $value to $cache_key but not using it. My guess is that there is a syntax error somewhere in your real code. — doublesharp
– doublesharp, Commented Oct 13, 2015 at 18:04
Sorry about that I updated the examples to more closely show what is going on. I am trying to return a string. — thedayisntgray
– thedayisntgray, Commented Oct 13, 2015 at 18:18

DNT · Accepted Answer · 2015-10-13 18:18:38Z

1

Try this:

$some_html = "<b> ".$array[$this->value]." </b>";

answered Oct 13, 2015 at 18:18

DNT

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1 Comment

thedayisntgray Over a year ago

Thank you @DNT that fixed my problem!

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