[SOLVED] Are string variables passed by ref or value

[jordanwb]

A question about how strings work in PHP. If I pass a string variable into a function does it pass the value or the memory refference?

 

Example:

 

<?php

function foo ($input){}

$foo = "text";

foo ($foo);

?>

[revraz]

Search on Pass by Value and Pass by Reference for PHP.

[cooldude832]

I believe it will be the value of that not the refs as you can put direct text input, it will take those comma separated values and apply those as new memory refs for the function's life.

<?php
$var = "Foo";
function stuff($vardata){
return $vardata;
}
$var2 = stuff($var);
$var3 = stuff("Foo");
var_dump($var2);
var_dump($var3);
?>

[jordanwb]

I have seen something like this:

 

<?php

foo (&$foo)
{

}

?>

 

I've also used that in C++, would pass the ref?

[cooldude832]

I Know what you are talking about because I too have seen it in C the pointers to a mem reference and not the string value, I haven't seen a useful place for it in php, but maybe bridging the gab between php and another language such as C might have its usefulness.  Of course the question then becomes how do you find it as it will be random usually

[jordanwb]

So would placing an amperstand before a variable make it pass the ref ot the value?

[Orio]

Yes, you can pass variables by reference.

 

More info in the manual:

http://www.php.net/manual/en/functions.arguments.php

 

 

Orio.

[jordanwb]

Excellent, Thanks.