Class Properties

[snivek]

Can you access class properties directly by calling the property name or do you have to create a method to return it?
[code]
<?php
Class Veggy {
    var $color;

    Function Veggy($color) {
          $this->$color = $color
    }

    Function get_color(){
          return $this->$color;
    }
}

$spinach = new Veggy("green")
print $spinach->$color;  /* will that work? */
print $spinach->get_color();  /*this shoulwork */
?>
[/code]

[utexas_pjm]

In PHP4 all member data are public, that is, they can be viewed and mutated directly.  In PHP 5 you can make member data public, private, or protected.  Private and proteected member data can only be viewed and mutated via public methods (when not within the context of the class or a subclass).

PHP4 - these will both work.
[code]
<?php
Class Veggy {
    var $color;

    Function Veggy($color) {
          $this->$color = $color
    }

    Function get_color(){
          return $this->$color;
    }
}

$spinach = new Veggy("green")
print $spinach->$color;  /* will that work? */
print $spinach->get_color();  /*this shoulwork */
?>
[/code]

PHP5 - only the latter will work as expected

[code]
<?php
Class Veggy {
    protected $color;

    public function __construct($color) {
          $this->$color = $color
    }

    public function get_color(){
          return $this->$color;
    }
}

$spinach = new Veggy("green")
print $spinach->$color;  /* will that work?  No*/
print $spinach->get_color();  /*this shoulwork, and it does. */
?>
[/code]

Best,

Patrick

[snivek]

Does the following work if the variable is marked Public?
[code]
<?php
Class Veggy {
    public $color;  #marked public

    public function __construct($color) {
          $this->$color = $color
    }

    public function get_color(){
          return $this->$color;
    }
}

$spinach = new Veggy("green")
print $spinach->$color;  /* DOES THIS WORK NOW?  If not, what
is the point in a PUBLIC var if I still have to use a public method
to read/write it?*/

?>
[/code]

[emehrkay]

i thought it would be
$spinach->color;

yes it would work as a public var