How can we return multiple value from one function?

Question

I am creating a simple web site in PHP, and I want to return multiple variables from one function. Is that possible or not?

And if possible, then how?

Please read this http://stackoverflow.com/help/how-to-ask your question is incomplete. Anything is possible! — Pogrindis, Jul 08 '15 at 13:15
There are either too many possible answers, or good answers would be too long for this format. Please add details to narrow the answer set or to isolate an issue that can be answered in a few paragraphs.I would suggest that you find a development forum (perhaps [quora](http://www.quora.com/Computer-Programming)?) to work out generalities. Then, when/if you have specific coding issues, come back to StackOverflow and we'll be glad to help. — Jay Blanchard, Jul 08 '15 at 13:21
Define an object which semantically encapsulates those values into a meaningful structure. Return an instance of that object. — David, Jul 08 '15 at 13:23
It is also a duplicate of *[Multiple returns from a function](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3451906)* (though that question is ambiguous). — Peter Mortensen, Dec 12 '19 at 21:51

score 2 · Answer 1 · edited Dec 12 '19 at 21:56

2

Put them into an array:

function myFunction() {
    return array('name' => 'Joe', 'birthday' => '1976. 08. 29');
}

So after this, you can say:

$data = myFunction();
echo $data['name'] . "\n";
echo $data['birthday'];

If your array is not fixed, then you can loop through all of the keys and items:

foreach ($data as $key => $value) {
   echo $key . ": " . $value . "\n";
}

edited Dec 12 '19 at 21:56

Peter Mortensen

answered Jul 08 '15 at 13:15

vaso123

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited Dec 12 '19 at 21:55

1

You can return an array,

function doSth(){
    $a = 2;
    $b = 5
    $c = 9;
    return array($a, $b, $c);
}

and then use the list() method to get back single values:

list($a, $b, $c) = doSth();
echo $a; echo $b; echo $c;

edited Dec 12 '19 at 21:55

Peter Mortensen

answered Jul 08 '15 at 13:16

dognose

Dang, just beat me to it! – M1ke Jul 08 '15 at 13:17
There is also [destructuring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assignment_(computer_science)#Parallel_assignment) [in PHP 7.1](https://stackoverflow.com/a/48166310). – Peter Mortensen Dec 12 '19 at 21:55

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 08 '15 at 13:17

0

You can do this using arrays and the list() function:

function doSomething(){
  // do stuff
  return [$a, $b];
}

list($a, $b) = doSomething();

answered Jul 08 '15 at 13:17

M1ke

score -1 · Answer 4 · answered Jul 08 '15 at 13:22

-1

< ?php

function multiple_returns()
{
    return array( 1, 2, "three" );
}

?>

answered Jul 08 '15 at 13:22

Ravi Chauhan

How does this add to the three answers already given? – Anonymous Jul 08 '15 at 13:23
you will be pass by arguments – Ravi Chauhan Jul 08 '15 at 13:23

4 Answers4