[SOLVED] $string as code

[stylusrose]

is there anyway to execute a string as code in php?

 

other than saving $string to an outside file and then including that file and running it.

 

just like:

 

<?php

$string = "echo( "potatoes" );"

 

run $string;

 

?>

 

[conker87]

$string = "potatoes";

echo $string;

 

Like that?

[947740]

Based on what you are trying to do, I would use a function.

 

<?php

writeString($string) {

echo $string;

}
// $string is what you want to echo
?>

 

However, that would be kind of pointless when you can just echo it.

[RichardRotterdam]

i think you where looking for the eval() function just be carefull on what you use it on it could be a security breach of you use it for a website

[kenrbnsn]

I believe what the OP is looking for is the eval() function.

 

Use it with care.

 

Ken

(beaten to it)

[stylusrose]

Aha, there we are. Thanks a bunch!

[947740]

I am curious...what exactly does the eval() function do?

[jonsjava]

from php.net:

Evaluates the string given in code_str  as PHP code. Among other things, this can be useful for storing code in a database text field for later execution.

 

There are some factors to keep in mind when using eval(). Remember that the string passed must be valid PHP code, including things like terminating statements with a semicolon so the parser doesn't die on the line after the eval(), and properly escaping things in code_str . To mix HTML output and PHP code you can use a closing PHP tag to leave PHP mode.

 

Also remember that variables given values under eval() will retain these values in the main script afterwards.

[947740]

I was hoping for a non technical explanation (it was not too bad), but it did help explain it a little bit.

[conker87]

Evaluates the given string as php code.

[947740]

That is pretty much exactly the same as the first sentence in the quote from the website. 

[stylusrose]

basically you can put php functions into the string, and then using the string like you would the "include" statement

[947740]

I understand what it means now, thanks.