Php -> function

[Abhi2011]

Hello guys,

I am learning PHP and what better way to do it than reading and understanding code. 

But I have a question what does the function do?

-> 

Here is a sample code from MyBB

$username = &$this->data['username'];

And what does the & operator do? 

 

Thanks,

Abhi2011

[Irate]

Hello guys,

I am learning PHP and what better way to do it than reading and understanding code. 

But I have a question what does the function do?

-> 

Here is a sample code from MyBB

$username = &$this->data['username'];

And what does the & operator do? 

 

Thanks,

Abhi2011

 

The -> operator is only available for objects and refers to modules, methods or variables of an object, $this is the currently used object, so $this->data['username'] selects the array key 'username' from the array data which is defined in the current object.

 

The & operator can be used either as unary operator where it is used for bit shifting or as so-called reference passer, means &$this is the reference to $this, all modifications to $data will affect $this, too.

[Abhi2011]

I don't think can be answered, (Not saying that you don't, saying that this might be foolish) but why not just use data['username']

I understood everything else.

[Irate]

Because you want to have data['username'] within the current object as there might exist other identically named arrays in other objects or in a global/local scope, imagine, username data can be used within many scripts.

[Abhi2011]

Okay. Thanks for your help.

Marking as solved.