Store output from a php function

Question

I think im a bit over my head on this, but I have a wordpress function that i cant control and it outputs HTML.

It specifically outputs a <a> tag. When i try to store that output into a variable it just echos out the anchor tag even though i thought i stored the output.

I talked to someone that knows more about this and they said the function probably is using its own output system.

Im wondering if there is a way to store the functions output before it echos it out. Like this(but this doesn't work):

$link = wp_function();

This echos out the tag and doesn't store the data.

What's the exact name of function you are trying with?

Shakti Singh
– Shakti Singh

2011-07-13 06:56:23 +00:00
Commented Jul 13, 2011 at 6:56 — Shakti Singh
– Shakti Singh, Commented Jul 13, 2011 at 6:56

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 10:24:32Z

4

<?php
ob_start();
wp_function();
$link = ob_get_contents();
ob_end_clean();
?>

Same issue here, How do I capture PHP output into a variable?

edited May 23, 2017 at 10:24

CommunityBot

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answered Jul 13, 2011 at 6:58

JConstantine

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Comments

Shakti Singh · Accepted Answer · 2011-07-13 06:59:22Z

2

Wordpress have to two types of functions:-

Functions which does not return anything but echoes out output.
Functions which does not echoes out anything but returns output for further uses.

All most all functions have prefixed with get_ to return the value.

for an example the_title just output title whereas get_the_title returns the title.

Search if the function have their get_ version available and use them.

answered Jul 13, 2011 at 6:59

Shakti Singh

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2 Comments

Blair McMillan Over a year ago

+1 because while it doesn't solve the question as stated, that doesn't mean that it isn't the right way of solving the problem. Hopefully this will help others in the future as well.

chasethesunnn Over a year ago

this is the function that i am working with: codex.wordpress.org/Template_Tags/wp_list_categories

Blair McMillan · Accepted Answer · 2011-07-13 06:59:22Z

1

You should be able to call ob_start prior to your wp_function() call and then use ob_get_flush():

ob_start();
wp_function();
$link = ob_get_flush();

answered Jul 13, 2011 at 6:59

Blair McMillan

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3 Comments

chasethesunnn Over a year ago

i see that ob_get_flush() is a combination of returning the string and turning off the output buffering but is it any different from ob_get_contents(); ob_end_clean();

Blair McMillan Over a year ago

@Nils: No. It just combines the two.

chasethesunnn Over a year ago

this actually doesn't seem to "catch" the output the same way the other two functions do. When i use the other two functions, it catches whatever the output is and then i do some manipulating and regex stuff to it and echo out the final result. When i use the single ending function, it still echos out the original function AND the regex stuff that i did to it as well. So there seems to be a difference

Community · Accepted Answer · 2023-11-20 22:45:59Z

1

https://www.php.net/manual/en/ref.outcontrol.php this may help with more functions

edited Nov 20, 2023 at 22:45

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answered Jul 13, 2011 at 7:17

jeni

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Comments

9ete · Accepted Answer · 2014-10-06 23:21:19Z

0

What function are you using exactly?
Have you tried to pass the 'echo' => false argument?
I have had this problem when using the wp_nav_menu() function and fixed it with this argument:

$menu = wp_nav_menu( 'echo' => false );

answered Oct 6, 2014 at 23:21

9ete

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