OOP PHP: how do i assign a variable value?

Question

Not very good at putting this question into words....

I'm using an API to update some customer information

$customer =             new Customer();
$customer->first_name = $value;
$customer->update();

The above would update the first_name, however I'd like to variable where first name is like:

$attribute =                'first_name';    
$customer =                 new Customer();
$customer->$attribute =     $value;
$customer->update();`

Which would then reference the public vars in the Customer class.

I want to avoid writing a method(setter) for every attribute.

have you tried the above? Dit it work? If so, what is the question? — Gordon
– Gordon, Commented Dec 6, 2010 at 10:48
I'd say your problem isn't connected with the code you provided. Could you please provide a complete working example or show us var_dump($customer)? — Fluffy
– Fluffy, Commented Dec 6, 2010 at 10:56

Alin P. · Accepted Answer · 2010-12-06 10:54:19Z

2

Both $obj->$attr and $obj->{$attr} will work in the same way. The {} are redundant in this case. They make sense when you need to write something like $obj->{"123"}.

<?php
$obj = new stdClass();
$attr = 'my_attr';
$obj->$attr = 'test'; 
var_dump($obj);
?>

The problem with your code is that you have a typo. Or if the typo was only in the text of question, then you don't have any problem.

answered Dec 6, 2010 at 10:54

Alin P.

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2 Comments

Haroldo Over a year ago

Cool these both work, in what cases would the braces be appropriate? arrays?

Alin P. Over a year ago

@Haroldo When there is ambiguity or when the syntax isn't allowed. Ex. $obj->{$arr[3]} instead of $obj->$arr[3] or $obj->{"123"} instead of $obj->123.

Haim Evgi · Accepted Answer · 2010-12-06 10:51:34Z

0

you can do it like

$attr = 'my_attr';
$obj->{$attr};

answered Dec 6, 2010 at 10:51

Haim Evgi

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