Using static vars in PHP functions

Question

The use of the static $var in this function works, but I'm wondering if there's a more efficient way to handle a situation like this.

function static_test() {
    static $var = FALSE;
    if ( ! $var) $var = date('Ymd');
    // do some stuff with $var
}

I wondered if possible to do something closer to this... or other to declare the static $var.

function static_test() {
    static $var = date('Ymd');
    // do some stuff with $var
}

How would you do it?

I think this is a good read for you php.net/manual/en/language.variables.scope.php, specificaly where it talks about static variables search for "Using static variables" on the page, you can't declare a static variable with an expression it even has some nice examples — rroche
– rroche, Commented Dec 27, 2011 at 0:47
I can't think of a better, or more clear way to explain it than in the second example above. I wondered if there might be a way to declare a static var with the value of a function. I know it can be done something like the first example. — Poe
– Poe, Commented Dec 27, 2011 at 0:47
No, static variables can only be assigned values that are not the result of expressions — rroche
– rroche, Commented Dec 27, 2011 at 0:48
@rroche, thanks. So you'd also do it like the first example then? — Poe
– Poe, Commented Dec 27, 2011 at 0:50

Alfredo Castaneda Garcia · Accepted Answer · 2011-12-27 01:04:36Z

1

The second option is almost fine. As you may read here: http://www.php.net/manual/en/language.variables.scope.php,

...[a static variable] is initialized only in first call of function...

So there is no need for this piece of code: if ( ! $var) $var = date('Ymd');

However, you need a dummy:

$dummy=date('Ymd'); static $var=$dummy;

edited Dec 27, 2011 at 1:04

answered Dec 27, 2011 at 0:58

Alfredo Castaneda Garcia

1,6579 silver badges17 bronze badges

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

3 Comments

Poe Over a year ago

thanks @Alfredo for taking the time to answer the question with an option that works, instead of downvoting and leaving a non-constructive comment.

rroche Over a year ago

Did you test the $dummy initialization of $var ? I have my doubts as it specifically states not liking expressions on the values,

Poe Over a year ago

@rroche, I didn't test it. Since this question was being downvoted I didn't bother further. I resolved that my 1st example that worked would be the way I continue to code it if I need a static var in a function.

Explosion Pills · Accepted Answer · 2011-12-27 00:50:16Z

0

The second example is simply not in php syntax. I loathe static var usage at all, but especially in this instance. I would use a class.

answered Dec 27, 2011 at 0:50

Explosion Pills

192k56 gold badges341 silver badges417 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Using static vars in PHP functions

2 Answers 2

3 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

3 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related