PHP define multiple constants in an array

Question

Hi I am really bad and a total newbie to PHP. Need some help.

I am trying to define a few constants in my site:

Code 1

define('SITE_ROOT',$_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'] . '/');

// Check if CORE_PATH is already defined else define here
defined('CORE_PATH') or define('CORE_ROOT', SITE_ROOT . '/CORE');

define('INC_PATH', IAO_ROOT . '/inc/');
define('LAYOUTS_PATH', IAO_ROOT . 'layouts/');
define('BLOCKS_PATH', SECTIONS_PATH . 'blocks/');
define('STATIC_PATH', BLOCKS_PATH . 'static/');

Apart from the above example I have another 10-15 more constants to define. I want to know is it correct to define each constant in one line each or can I do something like below:

Code 2

    define (
    $constant = array (
        'SITE_ROOT',
        'CORE_PATH',
        'INC_PATH' ,
        'LAYOUTS_PATH',
        'BLOCKS_PATH',
        'STATIC_PATH'
    ), 

    $path = array(
        $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'] . '/',
        SITE_ROOT . '/CORE',
        CORE_PATH . '/inc',
        CORE_PATH . '/layout',
        CORE_PATH . '/blocks',
        CORE_PATH . '/static'
    )
);

define ( $constant, $path);

While Code 1 is working fine on my site, Code 2 is not working for me. Kindly advise me what is the correct way.

UPDATE: Updated this question as per @LasVegasCoder. does not work.

<?php
//Create array of paths --example from your path ***use right paths***;
  $path = array(
        'SITE_ROOT . '  => $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'],
        'CORE_PATH'     => SITE_ROOT . '/core',
        'INCLUDE_PATH'  => SITE_ROOT . '/inc',
        'LAYOUT_PATH'   => SITE_ROOT . '/layout',
        'BLOCK_PATH'    => SITE_ROOT . '/blocks',
        'STATIC_PATH'   => SITE_ROOT . '/static'
    );

 //usage:
 createPath( $path );

//Testiing
echo SITE_ROOT; ?></br>
<?php echo CORE_PATH; ?></br>
<?php echo INCLUDE_PATH; ?></br>
<?php echo LAYOUT_PATH; ?></br>
<?php echo BLOCK_PATH; ?></br>
<?php echo STATIC_PATH; ?></br>

<?php
function createPath( $path )
{
    if( empty( $path ) )
    {
        die("Array of path required!");
    }
    foreach( $path as $constant => $path )
    {
        if(!defined( strtoupper($constant) ) )
        {
            define( strtoupper($constant), $path . '/');
        }
    }
}

Well still it does not work. Any idea and solutions?

A function can only have a single return value. The define_constants() function returns only $constant. — BenM
– BenM, Commented Sep 9, 2017 at 18:02
And $constant will hold the literal strings like 'SITE_ROOT', not the actual constants. — arkascha
– arkascha, Commented Sep 9, 2017 at 18:04
@BenM Would you mind giving me the correct code to achieve what I am looking for? — Vikram Rao
– Vikram Rao, Commented Sep 9, 2017 at 18:08
You did not define CONSTANT you defined array of strings, and first return was fired return $constant which returns array of strings that was saved in your variable $constant you must use the define to complete the process — Prince Adeyemi
– Prince Adeyemi, Commented Sep 9, 2017 at 18:11
define only accepts a string with the name of the constant and a scalar value. It doesn't accept arrays. You would have to use an array_map or foreach for that. — Ismael Miguel
– Ismael Miguel, Commented Sep 9, 2017 at 18:19

Prince Adeyemi · Accepted Answer · 2017-09-09 22:29:38Z

2

Create Paths Dynamically

With this tiny function, you can create your paths as array of key => value, pass it to the function to create the paths for your application.

Create array of paths

using example in this question -- use right paths

  $path = array(
        'SITE_ROOT'   => $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'],
        'CORE_PATH' => '/core',
        'INCLUDE_PATH' => '/inc',
        'LAYOUT_PATH' => '/layout',
        'BLOCK_PATH' => '/blocks',
        'STATIC_PATH' => '/static'
    );

usage create paths using the function:

createPath( $path );

Testing path

echo CORE_PATH;
OUTPUT

/core/

Create a function to handle paths.

function createPath( $path )
{
    if( empty( $path ) )
    {
        die("Array of path required!");
    }
    foreach( $path as $constant => $path )
    {
        if(!defined( strtoupper($constant) ) )
        {
            // define( strtoupper($constant), $path . '/'); 
            define( strtoupper($constant), realpath( dirname( __FILE__) ) . $path . '/');
        }
    }
}

youpage.php

<?php
/**Create array of paths  array of $constant to $path;
 * i.e $path = array( 'THIS_CONSTANT' => '/this/path', 'WEB_ROOT' => '/path/to/webroot' );
 *  usage:
 *  `createPath( $path );` 
 *  Test: `echo WEB_ROOT;`  OUTPUT: '/path/to/webroot/'
 *
 * - How to Include another scripts:

 * require_once CORE_PATH . 'Config.php';
 * require_once INCLUDE_PATH . 'Database.php';
 * require_once LAYOUT_PATH 'Header.php';
 * require_once LAYOUT_PATH 'Body.php';
 * require_once LAYOUT_PATH 'Footer.php';
*/
 $path = array(
        'SITE_ROOT'   =>   $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'],
        'CORE_PATH' => '/core',
        'INCLUDE_PATH' => '/inc',
        'LAYOUT_PATH' => '/layout',
        'BLOCK_PATH' => '/blocks',
        'STATIC_PATH' => '/static'
    );

 //usage:
 createPath( $path );

// Test. You can echo path, include | require e.g:
 echo STATIC_PATH;


function createPath( $path )
{
    if( empty( $path ) )
    {
        die("Array of path required!");
    }
    foreach( $path as $constant => $path )
    {
        if(!defined( strtoupper($constant) ) )
        {
            // define( strtoupper($constant), $path . '/'); 
            define( strtoupper($constant), realpath( dirname( __FILE__) ) . $path . '/');
        }
    }
}

Test a DEMO Version online

Hope this helps!

edited Sep 9, 2017 at 22:29

answered Sep 9, 2017 at 19:27

Prince Adeyemi

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2 Comments

Vikram Rao Over a year ago

Hi and thanks for trying to help me. I've updated my question ad per your suggestion but it does not work. Can you please update your answer with a working function.

Prince Adeyemi Over a year ago

@VikramRao you have to update the constants with your real application path, don't just copy and paste this as I don't know if your application paths used in the above example are your real paths

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