accessing static methods using a variable class name (PHP)

Question

I am trying to access a static method, but using a variable as the class name. Is this possible? I seem to be having issues with it. I want to be able to do something like this:

class foo {
    public static function bar() {
        echo 'test';
    }
}

$variable_class_name = 'foo';
$variable_class_name::bar();

And I want to be able to do similar using static variables as well.

using 5.2 i believe. get an error like "Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_PAAMAYIM_NEKUDOTAYIM in /some/path/application/models/lev_base_model.php on line 35" — dqhendricks
– dqhendricks, Commented Feb 20, 2011 at 21:08
What version of PHP are you running? As far as I'm aware you've been able to do this in recent versions (5.2+, though not exactly sure from when this would be valid) — GordonM
– GordonM, Commented Feb 20, 2011 at 21:08

BoltClock · Accepted Answer · 2011-02-20 21:08:56Z

21

That syntax is only supported in PHP 5.3 and later. Previous versions don't understand that syntax, hence your parse error (T_PAAMAYIM_NEKUDOTAYIM refers to the :: operator).

In previous versions you can try call_user_func(), passing it an array containing the class name and its method name:

$variable_class_name = 'foo';
call_user_func(array($variable_class_name, 'bar'));

answered Feb 20, 2011 at 21:08

BoltClock

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3 Comments

dqhendricks Over a year ago

looks great. Is there something similar for static properties?

BoltClock Over a year ago

@dqhendricks: not sure about class variables. For arguments, use call_user_func() with variadic arguments (like sprintf()), or use call_user_func_array() with an array of arguments. Both of these functions return the return values of the methods.

outis Over a year ago

@dqhendricks: see "Getting static property from a class with dynamic class name in PHP".

David Harkness · Accepted Answer · 2011-02-20 22:14:55Z

8

You can use reflection for PHP 5.1 and above:

class foo {
    public static $bar = 'foobar';
}

$class = 'foo';
$reflector = new ReflectionClass($class);
echo $reflector->getStaticPropertyValue('bar');

> foobar

answered Feb 20, 2011 at 22:14

David Harkness

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