Variable help

[JacobBar]

this is probably very easy but im a newbee and couldnt find a solution by googling it, so im trying to call a variable at the beginning of the code and the variable is at the end of the code like below

<?php

echo $test;

 

$test =' this is a test';

?>

 

[oni-kun]

You cannot call a variable before it is defined, although you can use output buffering it is not recommended.

[The Little Guy]

you cant echo it then set it, you have to set it then echo it.

 

<?php
$test =' this is a test';

echo $test;
?>

[oni-kun]

Yes, if you want to provide the reasoning behind why you're wanting to echo a variable like this, there's other solutions, but if you're learning, you've learned.

[JacobBar]

thanks for the info, the reason is im trying to make a menu that when the user select a page "about us" it would have a different background image by doing so

<td width="94"  <?php if ($page = "aboutus" ) echo "background=\"aboutus_selected.gif\""; else echo "background=\"aboutus_not_selected.gif\"";  ?> ><a href="about.php"></a></td>

$page = 'aboutus';

[oni-kun]

Why can't you define $page above that html except? It would be more syntatically correct and fix your problems.

[JacobBar]

i would sure do so if it was possible but the header and the menu is the same code thats included in the beginning of every page

[oni-kun]

Then you'd have to include the $page variable before the included code.

 

$page = 'aboutus';
include('aboutus.php');
echo $page;

 

Aboutus.php is included, therefor the $page variable is passed into it.

 

[JacobBar]

not sure why i thought it wasnt possible to define a var before the included head/menu code maybe its time to get some sleep    thanks oni-kun