[SOLVED] PHP "->" What does that mean?

[Garath531]

I've seen the -> combination several times, but I have been unable to figure out what it means (mainly because Google doesn't read it). Can anybody tell me what it does?

[trq]

Its refers to an objects methods or properties. eg;

 

$obj->foo();

 

Calls the foo() method belonging to the object referred to as $obj.

[dj-kenpo]

ya I've been quietly confused on this as well, for the same reasons, still don't get it though. so it just calls the foo function?

[cmgmyr]

pretty much. take a look at this: http://stilisticdev.net/tutorials.php?cmd=full&t=0017 that should give you a beginning idea about OOP

[Garath531]

Ahhhhh... I didn't know php could use O.O.P, just like Java, or C++. Thanks for your help.

[Chesso]

Yeah, in alot of languages most properties or functions are accessed using ., rather than -> but it's the same thing.

 

Like if you create a class, and a function within the class.

 

Let's assume the class is called test_class and the function test_function.

 

Also assuming the class is in the same document (for the purpose of simplcitiy) you could call the function like:

 

test_class->test_function();

 

I came across this the other night, though I don't use classing myself, no need for it really, extra bloat when unnecessary but it has it's used.

[Nameless12]

I came across this the other night, though I don't use classing myself, no need for it really, extra bloat when unnecessary but it has it's used.

 

Yes there is need for it because doing so actually reduces bloating significantly. Learn to become proficient in OOP before you dismiss it so easily. There are quite a lot of things you can do with OOP that make your code both smarter and less bloated that cannot be done in "Procedural".

 

-> means "Points at"

[cmgmyr]

Yes, OOP is very handy even if you only use it a little bit. If you make a database class...that would cut down on alot of programming for you.