Strict Standards: Only variables should be passed by reference - php error

Question

    $file_name = $_FILES['profile_image']['name'];
    $file_ext = end(explode('.', $file_name)); //line 10
    $file_ext = strtolower($file_ext);
    $file_temp = $_FILES['profile_image']['tmp_name'];

Strict Standards: Only variables should be passed by reference in on line 10

How do I get rid of this error? Please and thank you :)

possible duplicate of [Strict Standards: Only variables should be passed by reference](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2354609/strict-standards-only-variables-should-be-passed-by-reference) — Lorenz Meyer, Jun 21 '14 at 08:23
Possible duplicate of [Only variables should be passed by reference](https://stackoverflow.com/q/4636166/1255289) — miken32, Oct 11 '17 at 21:59

score 15 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 06 '12 at 20:43

end() expects its parameter to be able to be passed by reference, and only variables can be passed by reference:

$array = explode('.', $file_name);
$file_ext = end( $array);

You can fix this by saving the array to a variable first, then calling end().

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 06 '12 at 20:44

0

If you want the last item in the array, do this:

$arr = explode(".", $file_name);
$file_ext = $arr[count($arr) - 1];

If you're trying to just get the extension from the file, use

$ext = pathinfo($file_name, PATHINFO_EXTENSION);

answered Aug 06 '12 at 20:44

Matt

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score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Nov 09 '17 at 02:01

Actually, if you write $ext = end(explode('.', $filename)); for getting the file extension then "Only variables should be passed by reference" can be show in php. For this reason, try to use it two steps, like: $tmp = explode('.', $filename); $ext = end($tmp);

Strict Standards: Only variables should be passed by reference - php error

3 Answers3