question about the use of the $this statement

[silverglade]

Hi, I do not know why we have to use the $this statement to refer to a variable within the same class.  Take this code for example.

 

class Car
{
    var $gas = 0;
    function addGas($amount)
    {
           $this->gas = $this->gas + $amount;
           echo "$amount gallons added to gas tank";
     }

}

 

why do we need "$this"? why cant we just write "$gas+= $amount;". Any help greatly appreciated. thanks.

[jcbones]

function scope.  You could use $gas in the function, but it would only be a variable of the function.  $this refers to the object, so, when you refer to an object variable, you must use $this.

[silverglade]

Great answer jcbones. Thanks very much. I understood that answer completely. Thank you.  :)