PHP Two functions with same name

Question

How would I include two functions with the same name in a php file?

I have two files:

file1.php which includes

function getResidentCount() {}

function getResidentData() {}

file2.php also includes

function getResidentCount() {}

function getResidentData() {}

I need file3.php to include all of these functions since each one is used to calculate different resident counts and data.

Any idea how I can include both of these files in one file. I cannot change the original files (they are in production for a live app).

Thanks, Claudia

Which PHP version do you use?

GolezTrol
– GolezTrol

2011-10-13 18:48:22 +00:00
Commented Oct 13, 2011 at 18:48 — GolezTrol
– GolezTrol, Commented Oct 13, 2011 at 18:48
put them in a separate file and include that

user557846
– user557846

2011-10-13 18:48:49 +00:00
Commented Oct 13, 2011 at 18:48 — user557846
– user557846, Commented Oct 13, 2011 at 18:48
A quick workaround could be using namespaces.

Artefact2
– Artefact2

2011-10-13 19:00:02 +00:00
Commented Oct 13, 2011 at 19:00 — Artefact2
– Artefact2, Commented Oct 13, 2011 at 19:00
that would need the include files to be modified though?

Paul Dixon
– Paul Dixon

2011-10-13 19:03:35 +00:00
Commented Oct 13, 2011 at 19:03 — Paul Dixon
– Paul Dixon, Commented Oct 13, 2011 at 19:03

Community · Accepted Answer · 2023-11-17 20:29:45Z

4

This is evil. I only offer it as an exercise.

include('file1.php');
//include('file2.php'); 
$php=file_get_contents("file2.php");
$php=str_replace('getResidentCount', 'file2GetResidentCount', $php);
$php=str_replace('getResidentData', 'file2GetResidentData', $php);
eval($php);

Now you can call the duplicated function with a different name!

Do not do this. It's just an idea :)

An alternative would be use the APD extension, which lets you rename functions. Include the first file, rename its functions with rename_function, then include the second file.

Really, you should probably take a deep breath, delay what you're doing, and refactor what you have. Learn from it and change your practices so that it can't happen again. Namespaces might help you, a more object oriented approach might also.

edited Nov 17, 2023 at 20:29

CommunityBot

11 silver badge

answered Oct 13, 2011 at 18:52

Paul Dixon

302k54 gold badges315 silver badges349 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

4 Comments

GolezTrol Over a year ago

Nice solutions, regarding the dirtyness of the problem itself. :)

Claudia Nastase Over a year ago

When I call the 'file2GetResidentCount', I get a "Fatal error: Call to undefined function SignificantgetResidentCount() ".

Paul Dixon Over a year ago

that's because it's a fairly naive search and replace - I'm guessing SignificantgetResidentCount is in different include file, but file2 will be trying to call Significantfile2GetResidentCount - refine the replacement, e.g. replace 'function getResidentCount' with 'function file2GetResidentCount'. Rinse, and repeat until it works. I feel bad just clarifying this. It's almost like you're going to use it...

mbomb007 Over a year ago

Is it possible to require one file, then undefine the functions once you're done using them. Then require the second file?

Jason McCreary · Accepted Answer · 2011-10-13 18:55:34Z

2

It's not possible to include both files as is. Doing so would result in PHP Fatal error: Cannot redeclare ....

Paul Dixon has provided a work around if you can't otherwise clean up your code.

answered Oct 13, 2011 at 18:55

Jason McCreary

73.3k23 gold badges140 silver badges177 bronze badges

Comments

Alex Howansky · Accepted Answer · 2011-10-13 18:58:21Z

1

If you only need to use one of the functions per run of the script then you can use conditional inclusion:

if (some_condition) {
    require_once 'file1.php';
} else {
    require_once 'file2.php';
}

answered Oct 13, 2011 at 18:58

Alex Howansky

54k8 gold badges85 silver badges102 bronze badges

Comments

Michel · Accepted Answer · 2019-05-21 16:01:33Z

1

Looking for a solution to a similar answer, I was surprised to see nobody mentioned the anonymous function.

file1.php

$myfunction=function($val){
    //do something with val
    );

file2.php

$myfunction=function($val){
    //do something with val
    );

file3.php

for($i=1;$i<3;++$i){
    include_once('file'.$i.'.php');
    $result[$i]=$myfunction($val);
    }

The only drawback in this solution is that $myfunction gets overwritten, so it's not re-usable.

But this could perhaps be solved (not tested) with clone:

$allfunctions=[];    
for($i=1;$i<3;++$i){
        include_once('file'.$i.'.php');
        $allfunctions[$i]=clone $myfunction();
        }

edited May 21, 2019 at 16:01

answered May 21, 2019 at 15:55

Michel

4,1554 gold badges39 silver badges57 bronze badges

Comments

Claudia Nastase · Accepted Answer · 2011-12-28 18:34:29Z

0

I ended up nesting my functions for the page where I needed both sets of these functions. Thanks to all for your help.

answered Dec 28, 2011 at 18:34

Claudia Nastase

411 silver badge4 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

PHP Two functions with same name

5 Answers 5

4 Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

5 Answers 5

4 Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related