I am trying to understand this line of code:
$ret = $box->$command();
The method command is not defined in the class $box, and it is strange that there is a $ before command. I just don't get it.
Asked
Active
Viewed 61 times
4
-
we can do it with __set(), __get(). check documentation. – Suresh Kamrushi Jan 10 '14 at 09:30
-
This post explains it pretty good: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1005857/how-to-call-php-function-from-string-stored-in-a-variable – Simon S. Jan 10 '14 at 09:37
3 Answers
4
This executes the method with the name stored in the $command variable on the object stored in$box.
So, supposing the class of $box has a method called foo, then this would work:
$command = "foo";
$box->$command();
and would be equivalent to
$box->foo();
only that the former way is more flexible, as it allows you to dynamically call a function depending on the value of a variable. Beware to check the possible values of $command however, do take care that it isn't filled by user input somehow (that might allow malicious people to do unexpected things with the php code).
codeling
- 11,056
- 4
- 42
- 71
4
$foo = 'bar';
$obj->$foo(); // calls the bar() method
You're looking at variable method calling.
deceze
- 510,633
- 85
- 743
- 889
2
$command will be a string, the value of which is the name of a method in that class definition.
Scopey
- 6,269
- 1
- 22
- 34