Function returns NULL instead of a value

Question

I wrote a function that I thought cannot be more basic:

In functions.php:

function testowa() {
$stringToReturn = "pies";
return $stringToReturn;
}

Then I'm trying to call it in single.php:

include_once ('functions.php');

testowa();
var_dump($stringToReturn);

And var_dump displays NULL.

Where could I possibly do anything wrong?

Undefined variable. Read up on variable scopes: http://php.net/manual/en/language.variables.scope.php — Daan, Apr 05 '17 at 13:30
|...|=> http://php.net/manual/en/function.error-reporting.php — Funk Forty Niner, Apr 05 '17 at 13:30
include_once ('functions.php'); $stringToReturn = testowa(); var_dump($stringToReturn); — Mohammad Mustaqeem, Apr 05 '17 at 13:31

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 05 '17 at 13:30

3

You have to assign the function's response to a variable. Try

$stringToReturn = testowa();
var_dump($stringToReturn);

answered Apr 05 '17 at 13:30

Stormhammer

Seems I might be too dumb to understand tutorials. Works like a charm, thank you kind sir. I will mark your answer as correct as soon as the system allows me to. – Michał Skrzypek Apr 05 '17 at 13:35

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 05 '17 at 13:34

0

@Michał Skrzypek update your function.php file like below:

<?php
    function testowa() {
        global  $stringToReturn;
        $stringToReturn = "pies";
        return $stringToReturn;
    }

answered Apr 05 '17 at 13:34

lazyCoder

1

`global` is a bad approach, stay away from using that. – Qirel Apr 05 '17 at 13:35

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 05 '17 at 13:34

Some ways to rome.

Return Value Version:

function testowa() {
  return = "pies";
}
print testowa();

Reference Version

function testowa(&$refer) {
  $refer = "pies";
}
$refer = '';
testowa($refer);
print $refer;

Global Version

function testowa() {
  global $global;
  $global = "pies";
}
$global='';
testowa();
print $global;

But take the Return Value Version and avoid Global Version

3 Answers3