Syntax for function result array as variable

[domwalton]

I have a large amount of legacy code to tidy up. There are lots of functions that return arrays, when only one item is needed. I don't really wish to go through and reverse engineer all the functions so rather then do this each time:

 

$somevar = somefunction();

$iwantthis = $somevar['thisone'];

 

It was be very useful to do something like:

 

$iwantthis = somefunction()['thisone'];

 

I just can't recall the correct syntax for this, or whether it is actually allowed in PHP?

[jl5501]

As the function is returning an array, I think you will have to stick with picking the array element you want, after the function returns.

 

I do not think you can assign a variable to one element of the returned array on the return.

[domwalton]

I fear you are probably correct. I guess I shall have to change all the functions, it's not very clever having them blindly return whole arrays of stuff - I think this stuff must have been written some time ago.

 

Thanks you.

[trq]

This feature was suggested and declined. See here. Personally, I like the idea. I'm pretty used to it from Python.

[domwalton]

Thanks thorpe,  yes it would seem logical to be able to do so. At least I know for sure now, so I can move on.