[SOLVED] local variables in fucntions?

[JREAM]

Heya, i guess globals are bad i read a lot,

 

I got this:

 

$a=1;

$b=2;

function x(){}

function y(){}

function z(){}

 

how can I make $a available in function x-z? 

global $a = 1; // is this bad?

what about

define('var_a', '1'); // is this bad?

 

Any tips =) ??

 

I dunno if you can local_scope function, or if that would be an option.

How do most people do this?

[ratcateme]

you can write this into your functions this is how i do it so only the functions you want have access to it

function x(){
global $a;
}

 

Scott.

[php_dave]

Not sure why globals are bad but if you want to avoid them why not pass the value to the function?

 

$a = 2;
function_x($a);

 

function definition

function_x($a)
{
  $local_a = $a;
}

[BioBob]

You could pass by REFERENCE, not VALUE also...  The & character allows you to pass an argument to a function by its reference (or where it is stored in memory on the servers ram) rather than a COPY of its value.

 

<?php
function today($arg)  {
  $day = "Tuesday";
  echo "It is $day inside the function";  //should see Tuesday
  }

$day = "Monday";
today($day);

echo "It is $day out side the function";  //should see Monday
?>

 

$day in the function is not the same as $day inside the function.  GLOBAL makes them the same but has some drawbacks.

 

<?php
function today(&$arg)  {
  $day = "Tuesday";
  echo "It is $day in the function";  //displays Tuesday
  }

$day = "Monday";
today($day);

echo "It is $day out side the function";  //also displays Tuesday
?>

 

In the 2nd piece of code, when $day was passed as an argument to the function, it was passed by its reference so any changes to the reference change its value whenever it is called.  When its not passed by reference, new memory space is allocated for $day inside the function so it becomes a copy of $day, not the original $day.  THink of it like a copier machine.  Photocopy a form, then fill it out.  The original doesnt change.

 

Probably read up on it here:

 

http://devzone.zend.com/node/view/id/637 under "Checking References"

 

 

[JREAM]

cool thanks for all the good idas I have fun playing in them