Can a function initialize a variable in PHP?

Question

Without specifically doing so,

Like:

function init($var){
  $var = 'x';
}

function a(){
  init($foo);

  echo $foo; // should be x

}

Something like the list() function :)

Bojangles · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-01 21:22:09Z

11

Pass by reference:

function init(&$var){
  $var = 'x';
}

edited Nov 1, 2011 at 21:22

Bojangles

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answered Nov 1, 2011 at 21:21

user142162

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5 Comments

Bojangles Over a year ago

I had the link I edited into your answer in my clipboard in preparation for my answer. Seeing as you've answered this already, I decided to put it to some use.

Alex Over a year ago

thanks, didn't think of that :p Can the &$var argument be optional? Because I tried to check if the argument is false and it doesn't seem to assign it

user142162 Over a year ago

@Alex: How would it be optional and still have it assigned a value?

Alex Over a year ago

I mean, if it's not present, then don't create the variable :)

David Harkness Over a year ago

@Alex - Provide a default value of null for the parameter: function init(&$var = null).

Aurelio De Rosa · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-01 21:21:19Z

2

Sure. You can pass the parameter by reference. So you have to change this

function init($var)

into this:

function init(&$var)

answered Nov 1, 2011 at 21:21

Aurelio De Rosa

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