How to directly use an array returned by a function

Question

Possible Duplicate:
Interpreting return value of function directly as an array

Is there a way I can use the following?

$year = getdate()["year"]; ??

If my function returns an array, can I read the value without writing another line?

Thank you for your help!

You can't but it's coming soon. This is also a duplicate of several other questions. Will vote to close when I find a suitable one — Phil, Oct 26 '11 at 00:47
@Phil This is now possible (I changed my answer), if OP doesn't accept mine or someones correct answer I think we should delete the question. — Dejan Marjanović, Aug 31 '12 at 09:42

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Oct 26 '11 at 00:47

1

Why do you bother about one line ? Just do:

$yearprep = getdate();
$year = $yearprep['year'];

or just let the function return 'year'

answered Oct 26 '11 at 00:47

Anonymous

+1 for being pragmatic. FYI `getdate()` is a [built-in function](http://php.net/manual/en/function.getdate.php). – Phil Oct 26 '11 at 00:58
It was usability question. I knew I could do that... – Mo3z Oct 26 '11 at 01:18

Dejan Marjanović · Accepted Answer · 2012-08-31T09:36:55.040

1

Yes you can do that without writing newline...

$year = getdate(); $year = $year['year'];

Since PHP 5.4 it is possible to do so:

function fruits()
{
    return array('a' => 'apple', 'b' => 'banana');
}

echo fruits()['a']; # apple

It is called array dereferencing.

edited Aug 31 '12 at 09:36

answered Oct 26 '11 at 00:47

Dejan Marjanović

I enjoyed your answer... – Josh Oct 26 '11 at 01:03
I wasn't the downvoter, but you know what the OP was asking. If you were going for comedy, put it in a comment, not an answer. – jprofitt Oct 26 '11 at 01:04
1

I know I answered `echo $year['year'] = $year = getdate();`, but that was wrong (wasn't thinking clearly) and I got the downvote, so I changed my answer. I can delete it though... @Josh, thanks :) – Dejan Marjanović Oct 26 '11 at 01:08
My apologies then. I thought you were just being sarcastic! Darn Internet and no tone! – jprofitt Oct 26 '11 at 01:12
Thanks for an update webarto.. I accept your answer :) – Mo3z Aug 31 '12 at 15:43

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Oct 26 '11 at 01:05

1

You can make a proxy function, if you want:

function getPiece($key = 'year')
{
    $tempYear = getDate();
    return $tempYear[$key];
}

echo getPiece();
echo getPiece('day');

answered Oct 26 '11 at 01:05

Josh

1

`function getPiece($function, $key){$t = $function();return $t[$key];}` this might be better? +1 for idea. – Dejan Marjanović Oct 26 '11 at 01:10
@webarto: Good call, that would allow the use of any function, not just getDate(); – Josh Oct 26 '11 at 01:13
Josh, I wanted to use this with some inbuilt functions. Thanks for your help.. – Mo3z Oct 26 '11 at 01:20
@Moiz: As webarto alluded to, all you'd have to do is make the proxy function call a variably defined function, then you can use it to call any function- builtin or user defined. – Josh Oct 26 '11 at 01:22

middus · Answer 4 · 2011-10-26T01:25:08.907

0

What about this? It only takes one line.

$date = date('Y');

edited Oct 26 '11 at 01:25

answered Oct 26 '11 at 01:01

middus

ghbarratt · Answer 5 · 2011-10-26T01:56:57.820

0

The answer is no.

If you really want to do it in one line, you could use the extract construct:

extract(getdate());

or as middus mentions, just use the date function

$year = date('Y');

edited Oct 26 '11 at 01:56

answered Oct 26 '11 at 01:50

ghbarratt

5 Answers5