148

Note: This is a reference question for dealing with variable scope in PHP. Please close any of the many questions fitting this pattern as duplicate of this one.

What is "variable scope" in PHP? Are variables from one .php file accessible in another? Why do I sometimes get "undefined variable" errors?

edited Mar 22 '17 at 16:16

Taryn♦

189k46286351

asked Jun 6 '13 at 10:20

deceze♦

391k61531687

1

If you titled this as "Undefined variable" you'll get loads more hits :) good job though
– Dale
Jun 6 '13 at 10:23

@Dale Good point. :)
– deceze♦
Jun 6 '13 at 10:24

@Dale, Actually no. 2k views in 2 years is....
– Pacerier
Mar 4 '15 at 8:29

6

@Pacerier ... about the right time to leave a random comment?
– Dale
Mar 9 '15 at 13:53

@Pacerier I really am not sure either what you're trying to say with that comment though. "Is...." ...what?! :P
– deceze♦
Mar 11 '15 at 8:14

|
show 2 more comments

148

Note: This is a reference question for dealing with variable scope in PHP. Please close any of the many questions fitting this pattern as duplicate of this one.

What is "variable scope" in PHP? Are variables from one .php file accessible in another? Why do I sometimes get "undefined variable" errors?

edited Mar 22 '17 at 16:16

Taryn♦

189k46286351

asked Jun 6 '13 at 10:20

deceze♦

391k61531687

1

If you titled this as "Undefined variable" you'll get loads more hits :) good job though
– Dale
Jun 6 '13 at 10:23

@Dale Good point. :)
– deceze♦
Jun 6 '13 at 10:24

@Dale, Actually no. 2k views in 2 years is....
– Pacerier
Mar 4 '15 at 8:29

6

@Pacerier ... about the right time to leave a random comment?
– Dale
Mar 9 '15 at 13:53

@Pacerier I really am not sure either what you're trying to say with that comment though. "Is...." ...what?! :P
– deceze♦
Mar 11 '15 at 8:14

|
show 2 more comments

148

Note: This is a reference question for dealing with variable scope in PHP. Please close any of the many questions fitting this pattern as duplicate of this one.

What is "variable scope" in PHP? Are variables from one .php file accessible in another? Why do I sometimes get "undefined variable" errors?

edited Mar 22 '17 at 16:16

Taryn♦

189k46286351

asked Jun 6 '13 at 10:20

deceze♦

391k61531687

Note: This is a reference question for dealing with variable scope in PHP. Please close any of the many questions fitting this pattern as duplicate of this one.

What is "variable scope" in PHP? Are variables from one .php file accessible in another? Why do I sometimes get "undefined variable" errors?

php scope

edited Mar 22 '17 at 16:16

Taryn♦

189k46286351

asked Jun 6 '13 at 10:20

deceze♦

391k61531687

edited Mar 22 '17 at 16:16

Taryn♦

189k46286351

asked Jun 6 '13 at 10:20

deceze♦

391k61531687

edited Mar 22 '17 at 16:16

Taryn♦

189k46286351

edited Mar 22 '17 at 16:16

Taryn♦

189k46286351

edited Mar 22 '17 at 16:16

Taryn♦

189k46286351

asked Jun 6 '13 at 10:20

deceze♦

391k61531687

asked Jun 6 '13 at 10:20

deceze♦

391k61531687

asked Jun 6 '13 at 10:20

deceze♦

391k61531687

1

If you titled this as "Undefined variable" you'll get loads more hits :) good job though
– Dale
Jun 6 '13 at 10:23

@Dale Good point. :)
– deceze♦
Jun 6 '13 at 10:24

@Dale, Actually no. 2k views in 2 years is....
– Pacerier
Mar 4 '15 at 8:29

6

@Pacerier ... about the right time to leave a random comment?
– Dale
Mar 9 '15 at 13:53

@Pacerier I really am not sure either what you're trying to say with that comment though. "Is...." ...what?! :P
– deceze♦
Mar 11 '15 at 8:14

|
show 2 more comments

1

If you titled this as "Undefined variable" you'll get loads more hits :) good job though
– Dale
Jun 6 '13 at 10:23

@Dale Good point. :)
– deceze♦
Jun 6 '13 at 10:24

@Dale, Actually no. 2k views in 2 years is....
– Pacerier
Mar 4 '15 at 8:29

6

@Pacerier ... about the right time to leave a random comment?
– Dale
Mar 9 '15 at 13:53

@Pacerier I really am not sure either what you're trying to say with that comment though. "Is...." ...what?! :P
– deceze♦
Mar 11 '15 at 8:14

If you titled this as "Undefined variable" you'll get loads more hits :) good job though
– Dale
Jun 6 '13 at 10:23

@Dale Good point. :)
– deceze♦
Jun 6 '13 at 10:24

@Dale, Actually no. 2k views in 2 years is....
– Pacerier
Mar 4 '15 at 8:29

@Pacerier ... about the right time to leave a random comment?
– Dale
Mar 9 '15 at 13:53

@Pacerier I really am not sure either what you're trying to say with that comment though. "Is...." ...what?! :P
– deceze♦
Mar 11 '15 at 8:14

|
show 2 more comments

3 Answers
3

active

oldest

votes

165

What is "variable scope"?

Variables have a limited "scope", or "places from which they are accessible". Just because you wrote $foo = 'bar'; once somewhere in your application doesn't mean you can refer to $foo from everywhere else inside the application. The variable $foo has a certain scope within which it is valid and only code in the same scope has access to the variable.

How is a scope defined in PHP?

Very simple: PHP has function scope. That's the only kind of scope separator that exists in PHP. Variables inside a function are only available inside that function. Variables outside of functions are available anywhere outside of functions, but not inside any function. This means there's one special scope in PHP: the global scope. Any variable declared outside of any function is within this global scope.

Example:

<?php



$foo = 'bar';



function myFunc() {

    $baz = 42;

}

$foo is in the global scope, $baz is in a local scope inside myFunc. Only code inside myFunc has access to $baz. Only code outside myFunc has access to $foo. Neither has access to the other:

<?php



$foo = 'bar';



function myFunc() {

    $baz = 42;



    echo $foo;  // doesn't work

    echo $baz;  // works

}



echo $foo;  // works

echo $baz;  // doesn't work

Scope and included files

File boundaries do not separate scope:

a.php

<?php



$foo = 'bar';

b.php

<?php



include 'a.php';



echo $foo;  // works!

The same rules apply to included code as applies to any other code: only functions separate scope. For the purpose of scope, you may think of including files like copy and pasting code:

c.php

<?php



function myFunc() {

    include 'a.php';



    echo $foo;  // works

}



myFunc();



echo $foo;  // doesn't work!

In the above example, a.php was included inside myFunc, any variables inside a.php only have local function scope. Just because they appear to be in the global scope in a.php doesn't necessarily mean they are, it actually depends on which context that code is included/executed in.

What about functions inside functions and classes?

Every new function declaration introduces a new scope, it's that simple.

(anonymous) functions inside functions

function foo() {

    $foo = 'bar';



    $bar = function () {

        // no access to $foo

        $baz = 'baz';

    };



    // no access to $baz

}

classes

$foo = 'foo';



class Bar {



    public function baz() {

        // no access to $foo

        $baz = 'baz';

    }



}



// no access to $baz

What is scope good for?

Dealing with scoping issues may seem annoying, but limited variable scope is essential to writing complex applications! If every variable you declare would be available from everywhere else inside your application, you'd be stepping all over your variables with no real way to track what changes what. There are only so many sensible names you can give to your variables, you probably want to use the variable "$name" in more than one place. If you could only have this unique variable name once in your app, you'd have to resort to really complicated naming schemes to make sure your variables are unique and that you're not changing the wrong variable from the wrong piece of code.

Observe:

function foo() {

    echo $bar;

}

If there was no scope, what would the above function do? Where does $bar come from? What state does it have? Is it even initialized? Do you have to check every time? This is not maintainable. Which brings us to...

Crossing scope boundaries

The right way: passing variables in and out

function foo($bar) {

    echo $bar;

    return 42;

}

The variable $bar is explicitly coming into this scope as function argument. Just looking at this function it's clear where the values it works with originate from. It then explicitly returns a value. The caller has the confidence to know what variables the function will work with and where its return values come from:

$baz   = 'baz';

$blarg = foo($baz);

Extending the scope of variables into anonymous functions

$foo = 'bar';



$baz = function () use ($foo) {

    echo $foo;

};



$baz();

The anonymous function explicitly includes $foo from its surrounding scope. Note that this is not the same as global scope.

The wrong way: `global`

As said before, the global scope is somewhat special, and functions can explicitly import variables from it:

$foo = 'bar';



function baz() {

    global $foo;

    echo $foo;

    $foo = 'baz';

}

This function uses and modifies the global variable $foo. Do not do this! _{(Unless you really really really really know what you're doing, and even then: don't!)}

All the caller of this function sees is this:

baz(); // outputs "bar"

unset($foo);

baz(); // no output, WTF?!

baz(); // outputs "baz", WTF?!?!!

There's no indication that this function has any side effects, yet it does. This very easily becomes a tangled mess as some functions keep modifying and requiring some global state. You want functions to be stateless, acting only on their inputs and returning defined output, however many times you call them.

You should avoid using the global scope in any way as much as possible; most certainly you should not be "pulling" variables out of the global scope into a local scope.

edited Mar 1 '18 at 6:40

answered Jun 6 '13 at 10:20

deceze♦

391k61531687

You just said the wrong way for global, so please tell us when should we use global ? And please explain (a bit) what is static ..?
– user4920811
Jun 28 '15 at 10:14

@stack There is no "right" way for global. It's always wrong. Passing function parameters is right. static is explained well in the manual and does not have much to do with scope. In a nutshell it can be thought of as a "scoped global variable". I'm expanding a bit on its usage here kunststube.net/static.
– deceze♦
Jun 28 '15 at 12:15

My simple thought is if a php variable is important enough to deserve a global status, it deserves a column in a database. Maybe it's an overkill, but it's a fool-proof approach that fits my mediocre programming wit
– Arthur Tarasov
Aug 3 '17 at 8:22

@Arthur There is so much to unpack there… ಠ_ಠ This is most certainly not an approach I would endorse.
– deceze♦
Aug 3 '17 at 8:24

@deceze wee bit of an argument happening here today stackoverflow.com/q/51409392 - where the OP mentions that the duplicate (here) doesn't mention about include_once and possibly require_once should also be added somewhere; just saying. OP voted to reopen their question also. Would their post be a special case and what should be done about it?
– Funk Forty Niner
Jul 18 '18 at 19:31

|
show 2 more comments

Although variables defined inside of a function's scope can not be accessed from the outside that does not mean you can not use their values after that function completes. PHP has a well known static keyword that is widely used in object-oriented PHP for defining static methods and properties but one should keep in mind that static may also be used inside functions to define static variables.

What is it 'static variable'?

Static variable differs from ordinary variable defined in function's scope in case that it does not loose value when program execution leaves this scope. Let's consider the following example of using static variables:

function countSheep($num) {

 static $counter = 0;

 $counter += $num;

 echo "$counter sheep jumped over fence";

}



countSheep(1);

countSheep(2);

countSheep(3);

Result:

1 sheep jumped over fence

3 sheep jumped over fence

6 sheep jumped over fence

If we'd defined $counter without static then each time echoed value would be the same as $num parameter passed to the function. Using static allows to build this simple counter without additional workaround.

Static variables use-cases

To store values between consequent calls to function.

To store values between recursive calls when there is no way (or no
purpose) to pass them as params.

To cache value which is normally better to retrieve once. For
example, result of reading immutable file on server.

Tricks

Static variable exists only in a local function scope. It can not be
accessed outside of the function it has been defined in. So you may
be sure that it will keep its value unchanged until the next call to
that function.

Static variable may only be defined as a scalar or as a scalar
expression (since PHP 5.6). Assigning other values to it inevitably
leads to a failure at least at the moment this article was written.
Nevertheless you are able to do so just on the next line of your code:

function countSheep($num) {

  static $counter = 0;

  $counter += sqrt($num);//imagine we need to take root of our sheep each time

  echo "$counter sheep jumped over fence";

}

Result:

2 sheep jumped over fence

5 sheep jumped over fence

9 sheep jumped over fence

Static function is kinda 'shared' between methods of objects of the
same class. It is easy to understand by viewing the following example:

class SomeClass {

  public function foo() {

    static $x = 0;

    echo ++$x;

  }

}



$object1 = new SomeClass;

$object2 = new SomeClass;



$object1->foo(); // 1

$object2->foo(); // 2 oops, $object2 uses the same static $x as $object1

$object1->foo(); // 3 now $object1 increments $x

$object2->foo(); // 4 and now his twin brother

This only works with objects of the same class. If objects are from different classes (even extending one another) behavior of static vars will be as expected.

Is static variable the only way to keep values between calls to a function?

Another way to keep values between function calls is to use closures. Closures were introduced in PHP 5.3. In two words they allow you to limit access to some set of variables within a function scope to another anonymous function that will be the only way to access them. Being in closure variables may imitate (more or less successfully) OOP concepts like 'class constants' (if they were passed in closure by value) or 'private properties' (if passed by reference) in structured programming.

The latter actually allows to use closures instead of static variables. What to use is always up to developer to decide but it should be mentioned that static variables are definitely useful when working with recursions and deserve to be noticed by devs.

answered Feb 16 '17 at 21:06

alex_edev

367412

add a comment |

The scope of a variable is the context within which it is defined. For the most part all PHP variables only have a single scope. This
single scope spans included and required files as well. For example:

<?php

$a = 1;

include 'b.inc';

?>

Here the $a variable will be available within the included b.inc script. However, within user-defined functions a local function scope is introduced. Any variable used inside a function is by default limited to the local function scope. For example:

<?php

$a = 1; /* global scope */ 



function test()

{ 

    echo $a; /* reference to local scope variable */ 

} 



test();

?>

This script will not produce any output because the echo statement refers to a local version of the $a variable, and it has not been assigned a value within this scope. You may notice that this is a little bit different from the C language in that global variables in C are automatically available to functions unless specifically overridden by a local definition. This can cause some problems in that people may inadvertently change a global variable. In PHP global variables must be declared global inside a function if they are going to be used in that function.

answered Sep 20 '15 at 11:18

Josip Ivic

2,89983254

It seems a little dishonest to copy verbatim the PHP manual page on variable scope without attribution.
– bishop
Oct 29 '18 at 20:02

add a comment |

protected by Samuel Liew♦ Oct 5 '15 at 9:00

Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).

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3 Answers
3

active

oldest

votes

3 Answers
3

active

oldest

votes

165

What is "variable scope"?

How is a scope defined in PHP?

Example:

<?php



$foo = 'bar';



function myFunc() {

    $baz = 42;

}

<?php



$foo = 'bar';



function myFunc() {

    $baz = 42;



    echo $foo;  // doesn't work

    echo $baz;  // works

}



echo $foo;  // works

echo $baz;  // doesn't work

Scope and included files

File boundaries do not separate scope:

a.php

<?php



$foo = 'bar';

b.php

<?php



include 'a.php';



echo $foo;  // works!

The same rules apply to included code as applies to any other code: only functions separate scope. For the purpose of scope, you may think of including files like copy and pasting code:

c.php

<?php



function myFunc() {

    include 'a.php';



    echo $foo;  // works

}



myFunc();



echo $foo;  // doesn't work!

What about functions inside functions and classes?

Every new function declaration introduces a new scope, it's that simple.

(anonymous) functions inside functions

function foo() {

    $foo = 'bar';



    $bar = function () {

        // no access to $foo

        $baz = 'baz';

    };



    // no access to $baz

}

classes

$foo = 'foo';



class Bar {



    public function baz() {

        // no access to $foo

        $baz = 'baz';

    }



}



// no access to $baz

What is scope good for?

Observe:

function foo() {

    echo $bar;

}

Crossing scope boundaries

The right way: passing variables in and out

function foo($bar) {

    echo $bar;

    return 42;

}

$baz   = 'baz';

$blarg = foo($baz);

Extending the scope of variables into anonymous functions

$foo = 'bar';



$baz = function () use ($foo) {

    echo $foo;

};



$baz();

The anonymous function explicitly includes $foo from its surrounding scope. Note that this is not the same as global scope.

The wrong way: `global`

As said before, the global scope is somewhat special, and functions can explicitly import variables from it:

$foo = 'bar';



function baz() {

    global $foo;

    echo $foo;

    $foo = 'baz';

}

This function uses and modifies the global variable $foo. Do not do this! _{(Unless you really really really really know what you're doing, and even then: don't!)}

All the caller of this function sees is this:

baz(); // outputs "bar"

unset($foo);

baz(); // no output, WTF?!

baz(); // outputs "baz", WTF?!?!!

You should avoid using the global scope in any way as much as possible; most certainly you should not be "pulling" variables out of the global scope into a local scope.

edited Mar 1 '18 at 6:40

answered Jun 6 '13 at 10:20

deceze♦

391k61531687

You just said the wrong way for global, so please tell us when should we use global ? And please explain (a bit) what is static ..?
– user4920811
Jun 28 '15 at 10:14

@stack There is no "right" way for global. It's always wrong. Passing function parameters is right. static is explained well in the manual and does not have much to do with scope. In a nutshell it can be thought of as a "scoped global variable". I'm expanding a bit on its usage here kunststube.net/static.
– deceze♦
Jun 28 '15 at 12:15

My simple thought is if a php variable is important enough to deserve a global status, it deserves a column in a database. Maybe it's an overkill, but it's a fool-proof approach that fits my mediocre programming wit
– Arthur Tarasov
Aug 3 '17 at 8:22

@Arthur There is so much to unpack there… ಠ_ಠ This is most certainly not an approach I would endorse.
– deceze♦
Aug 3 '17 at 8:24

@deceze wee bit of an argument happening here today stackoverflow.com/q/51409392 - where the OP mentions that the duplicate (here) doesn't mention about include_once and possibly require_once should also be added somewhere; just saying. OP voted to reopen their question also. Would their post be a special case and what should be done about it?
– Funk Forty Niner
Jul 18 '18 at 19:31

|
show 2 more comments

165

What is "variable scope"?

How is a scope defined in PHP?

Example:

<?php



$foo = 'bar';



function myFunc() {

    $baz = 42;

}

<?php



$foo = 'bar';



function myFunc() {

    $baz = 42;



    echo $foo;  // doesn't work

    echo $baz;  // works

}



echo $foo;  // works

echo $baz;  // doesn't work

Scope and included files

File boundaries do not separate scope:

a.php

<?php



$foo = 'bar';

b.php

<?php



include 'a.php';



echo $foo;  // works!

The same rules apply to included code as applies to any other code: only functions separate scope. For the purpose of scope, you may think of including files like copy and pasting code:

c.php

<?php



function myFunc() {

    include 'a.php';



    echo $foo;  // works

}



myFunc();



echo $foo;  // doesn't work!

What about functions inside functions and classes?

Every new function declaration introduces a new scope, it's that simple.

(anonymous) functions inside functions

function foo() {

    $foo = 'bar';



    $bar = function () {

        // no access to $foo

        $baz = 'baz';

    };



    // no access to $baz

}

classes

$foo = 'foo';



class Bar {



    public function baz() {

        // no access to $foo

        $baz = 'baz';

    }



}



// no access to $baz

What is scope good for?

Observe:

function foo() {

    echo $bar;

}

Crossing scope boundaries

The right way: passing variables in and out

function foo($bar) {

    echo $bar;

    return 42;

}

$baz   = 'baz';

$blarg = foo($baz);

Extending the scope of variables into anonymous functions

$foo = 'bar';



$baz = function () use ($foo) {

    echo $foo;

};



$baz();

The anonymous function explicitly includes $foo from its surrounding scope. Note that this is not the same as global scope.

The wrong way: `global`

As said before, the global scope is somewhat special, and functions can explicitly import variables from it:

$foo = 'bar';



function baz() {

    global $foo;

    echo $foo;

    $foo = 'baz';

}

This function uses and modifies the global variable $foo. Do not do this! _{(Unless you really really really really know what you're doing, and even then: don't!)}

All the caller of this function sees is this:

baz(); // outputs "bar"

unset($foo);

baz(); // no output, WTF?!

baz(); // outputs "baz", WTF?!?!!

You should avoid using the global scope in any way as much as possible; most certainly you should not be "pulling" variables out of the global scope into a local scope.

edited Mar 1 '18 at 6:40

answered Jun 6 '13 at 10:20

deceze♦

391k61531687

You just said the wrong way for global, so please tell us when should we use global ? And please explain (a bit) what is static ..?
– user4920811
Jun 28 '15 at 10:14

@stack There is no "right" way for global. It's always wrong. Passing function parameters is right. static is explained well in the manual and does not have much to do with scope. In a nutshell it can be thought of as a "scoped global variable". I'm expanding a bit on its usage here kunststube.net/static.
– deceze♦
Jun 28 '15 at 12:15

My simple thought is if a php variable is important enough to deserve a global status, it deserves a column in a database. Maybe it's an overkill, but it's a fool-proof approach that fits my mediocre programming wit
– Arthur Tarasov
Aug 3 '17 at 8:22

@Arthur There is so much to unpack there… ಠ_ಠ This is most certainly not an approach I would endorse.
– deceze♦
Aug 3 '17 at 8:24

@deceze wee bit of an argument happening here today stackoverflow.com/q/51409392 - where the OP mentions that the duplicate (here) doesn't mention about include_once and possibly require_once should also be added somewhere; just saying. OP voted to reopen their question also. Would their post be a special case and what should be done about it?
– Funk Forty Niner
Jul 18 '18 at 19:31

|
show 2 more comments

165

What is "variable scope"?

How is a scope defined in PHP?

Example:

<?php



$foo = 'bar';



function myFunc() {

    $baz = 42;

}

<?php



$foo = 'bar';



function myFunc() {

    $baz = 42;



    echo $foo;  // doesn't work

    echo $baz;  // works

}



echo $foo;  // works

echo $baz;  // doesn't work

Scope and included files

File boundaries do not separate scope:

a.php

<?php



$foo = 'bar';

b.php

<?php



include 'a.php';



echo $foo;  // works!

The same rules apply to included code as applies to any other code: only functions separate scope. For the purpose of scope, you may think of including files like copy and pasting code:

c.php

<?php



function myFunc() {

    include 'a.php';



    echo $foo;  // works

}



myFunc();



echo $foo;  // doesn't work!

What about functions inside functions and classes?

Every new function declaration introduces a new scope, it's that simple.

(anonymous) functions inside functions

function foo() {

    $foo = 'bar';



    $bar = function () {

        // no access to $foo

        $baz = 'baz';

    };



    // no access to $baz

}

classes

$foo = 'foo';



class Bar {



    public function baz() {

        // no access to $foo

        $baz = 'baz';

    }



}



// no access to $baz

What is scope good for?

Observe:

function foo() {

    echo $bar;

}

Crossing scope boundaries

The right way: passing variables in and out

function foo($bar) {

    echo $bar;

    return 42;

}

$baz   = 'baz';

$blarg = foo($baz);

Extending the scope of variables into anonymous functions

$foo = 'bar';



$baz = function () use ($foo) {

    echo $foo;

};



$baz();

The anonymous function explicitly includes $foo from its surrounding scope. Note that this is not the same as global scope.

The wrong way: `global`

As said before, the global scope is somewhat special, and functions can explicitly import variables from it:

$foo = 'bar';



function baz() {

    global $foo;

    echo $foo;

    $foo = 'baz';

}

This function uses and modifies the global variable $foo. Do not do this! _{(Unless you really really really really know what you're doing, and even then: don't!)}

All the caller of this function sees is this:

baz(); // outputs "bar"

unset($foo);

baz(); // no output, WTF?!

baz(); // outputs "baz", WTF?!?!!

You should avoid using the global scope in any way as much as possible; most certainly you should not be "pulling" variables out of the global scope into a local scope.

edited Mar 1 '18 at 6:40

answered Jun 6 '13 at 10:20

deceze♦

391k61531687

What is "variable scope"?

How is a scope defined in PHP?

Example:

<?php



$foo = 'bar';



function myFunc() {

    $baz = 42;

}

<?php



$foo = 'bar';



function myFunc() {

    $baz = 42;



    echo $foo;  // doesn't work

    echo $baz;  // works

}



echo $foo;  // works

echo $baz;  // doesn't work

Scope and included files

File boundaries do not separate scope:

a.php

<?php



$foo = 'bar';

b.php

<?php



include 'a.php';



echo $foo;  // works!

The same rules apply to included code as applies to any other code: only functions separate scope. For the purpose of scope, you may think of including files like copy and pasting code:

c.php

<?php



function myFunc() {

    include 'a.php';



    echo $foo;  // works

}



myFunc();



echo $foo;  // doesn't work!

What about functions inside functions and classes?

Every new function declaration introduces a new scope, it's that simple.

(anonymous) functions inside functions

function foo() {

    $foo = 'bar';



    $bar = function () {

        // no access to $foo

        $baz = 'baz';

    };



    // no access to $baz

}

classes

$foo = 'foo';



class Bar {



    public function baz() {

        // no access to $foo

        $baz = 'baz';

    }



}



// no access to $baz

What is scope good for?

Observe:

function foo() {

    echo $bar;

}

Crossing scope boundaries

The right way: passing variables in and out

function foo($bar) {

    echo $bar;

    return 42;

}

$baz   = 'baz';

$blarg = foo($baz);

Extending the scope of variables into anonymous functions

$foo = 'bar';



$baz = function () use ($foo) {

    echo $foo;

};



$baz();

The anonymous function explicitly includes $foo from its surrounding scope. Note that this is not the same as global scope.

The wrong way: `global`

As said before, the global scope is somewhat special, and functions can explicitly import variables from it:

$foo = 'bar';



function baz() {

    global $foo;

    echo $foo;

    $foo = 'baz';

}

This function uses and modifies the global variable $foo. Do not do this! _{(Unless you really really really really know what you're doing, and even then: don't!)}

All the caller of this function sees is this:

baz(); // outputs "bar"

unset($foo);

baz(); // no output, WTF?!

baz(); // outputs "baz", WTF?!?!!

You should avoid using the global scope in any way as much as possible; most certainly you should not be "pulling" variables out of the global scope into a local scope.

edited Mar 1 '18 at 6:40

answered Jun 6 '13 at 10:20

deceze♦

391k61531687

edited Mar 1 '18 at 6:40

answered Jun 6 '13 at 10:20

deceze♦

391k61531687

answered Jun 6 '13 at 10:20

deceze♦

391k61531687

answered Jun 6 '13 at 10:20

deceze♦

391k61531687

You just said the wrong way for global, so please tell us when should we use global ? And please explain (a bit) what is static ..?
– user4920811
Jun 28 '15 at 10:14

@stack There is no "right" way for global. It's always wrong. Passing function parameters is right. static is explained well in the manual and does not have much to do with scope. In a nutshell it can be thought of as a "scoped global variable". I'm expanding a bit on its usage here kunststube.net/static.
– deceze♦
Jun 28 '15 at 12:15

My simple thought is if a php variable is important enough to deserve a global status, it deserves a column in a database. Maybe it's an overkill, but it's a fool-proof approach that fits my mediocre programming wit
– Arthur Tarasov
Aug 3 '17 at 8:22

@Arthur There is so much to unpack there… ಠ_ಠ This is most certainly not an approach I would endorse.
– deceze♦
Aug 3 '17 at 8:24

@deceze wee bit of an argument happening here today stackoverflow.com/q/51409392 - where the OP mentions that the duplicate (here) doesn't mention about include_once and possibly require_once should also be added somewhere; just saying. OP voted to reopen their question also. Would their post be a special case and what should be done about it?
– Funk Forty Niner
Jul 18 '18 at 19:31

|
show 2 more comments

You just said the wrong way for global, so please tell us when should we use global ? And please explain (a bit) what is static ..?
– user4920811
Jun 28 '15 at 10:14

@stack There is no "right" way for global. It's always wrong. Passing function parameters is right. static is explained well in the manual and does not have much to do with scope. In a nutshell it can be thought of as a "scoped global variable". I'm expanding a bit on its usage here kunststube.net/static.
– deceze♦
Jun 28 '15 at 12:15

My simple thought is if a php variable is important enough to deserve a global status, it deserves a column in a database. Maybe it's an overkill, but it's a fool-proof approach that fits my mediocre programming wit
– Arthur Tarasov
Aug 3 '17 at 8:22

@Arthur There is so much to unpack there… ಠ_ಠ This is most certainly not an approach I would endorse.
– deceze♦
Aug 3 '17 at 8:24

@deceze wee bit of an argument happening here today stackoverflow.com/q/51409392 - where the OP mentions that the duplicate (here) doesn't mention about include_once and possibly require_once should also be added somewhere; just saying. OP voted to reopen their question also. Would their post be a special case and what should be done about it?
– Funk Forty Niner
Jul 18 '18 at 19:31

You just said the wrong way for global, so please tell us when should we use global ? And please explain (a bit) what is static ..?
– user4920811
Jun 28 '15 at 10:14

@stack There is no "right" way for global. It's always wrong. Passing function parameters is right. static is explained well in the manual and does not have much to do with scope. In a nutshell it can be thought of as a "scoped global variable". I'm expanding a bit on its usage here kunststube.net/static.
– deceze♦
Jun 28 '15 at 12:15

My simple thought is if a php variable is important enough to deserve a global status, it deserves a column in a database. Maybe it's an overkill, but it's a fool-proof approach that fits my mediocre programming wit
– Arthur Tarasov
Aug 3 '17 at 8:22

@Arthur There is so much to unpack there… ಠ_ಠ This is most certainly not an approach I would endorse.
– deceze♦
Aug 3 '17 at 8:24

@deceze wee bit of an argument happening here today stackoverflow.com/q/51409392 - where the OP mentions that the duplicate (here) doesn't mention about include_once and possibly require_once should also be added somewhere; just saying. OP voted to reopen their question also. Would their post be a special case and what should be done about it?
– Funk Forty Niner
Jul 18 '18 at 19:31

|
show 2 more comments

What is it 'static variable'?

function countSheep($num) {

 static $counter = 0;

 $counter += $num;

 echo "$counter sheep jumped over fence";

}



countSheep(1);

countSheep(2);

countSheep(3);

Result:

1 sheep jumped over fence

3 sheep jumped over fence

6 sheep jumped over fence

Static variables use-cases

To store values between consequent calls to function.

To store values between recursive calls when there is no way (or no
purpose) to pass them as params.

To cache value which is normally better to retrieve once. For
example, result of reading immutable file on server.

Tricks

function countSheep($num) {

  static $counter = 0;

  $counter += sqrt($num);//imagine we need to take root of our sheep each time

  echo "$counter sheep jumped over fence";

}

Result:

2 sheep jumped over fence

5 sheep jumped over fence

9 sheep jumped over fence

Static function is kinda 'shared' between methods of objects of the
same class. It is easy to understand by viewing the following example:

class SomeClass {

  public function foo() {

    static $x = 0;

    echo ++$x;

  }

}



$object1 = new SomeClass;

$object2 = new SomeClass;



$object1->foo(); // 1

$object2->foo(); // 2 oops, $object2 uses the same static $x as $object1

$object1->foo(); // 3 now $object1 increments $x

$object2->foo(); // 4 and now his twin brother

This only works with objects of the same class. If objects are from different classes (even extending one another) behavior of static vars will be as expected.

Is static variable the only way to keep values between calls to a function?

answered Feb 16 '17 at 21:06

alex_edev

367412

add a comment |

What is it 'static variable'?

function countSheep($num) {

 static $counter = 0;

 $counter += $num;

 echo "$counter sheep jumped over fence";

}



countSheep(1);

countSheep(2);

countSheep(3);

Result:

1 sheep jumped over fence

3 sheep jumped over fence

6 sheep jumped over fence

Static variables use-cases

To store values between consequent calls to function.

To store values between recursive calls when there is no way (or no
purpose) to pass them as params.

To cache value which is normally better to retrieve once. For
example, result of reading immutable file on server.

Tricks

function countSheep($num) {

  static $counter = 0;

  $counter += sqrt($num);//imagine we need to take root of our sheep each time

  echo "$counter sheep jumped over fence";

}

Result:

2 sheep jumped over fence

5 sheep jumped over fence

9 sheep jumped over fence

Static function is kinda 'shared' between methods of objects of the
same class. It is easy to understand by viewing the following example:

class SomeClass {

  public function foo() {

    static $x = 0;

    echo ++$x;

  }

}



$object1 = new SomeClass;

$object2 = new SomeClass;



$object1->foo(); // 1

$object2->foo(); // 2 oops, $object2 uses the same static $x as $object1

$object1->foo(); // 3 now $object1 increments $x

$object2->foo(); // 4 and now his twin brother

This only works with objects of the same class. If objects are from different classes (even extending one another) behavior of static vars will be as expected.

Is static variable the only way to keep values between calls to a function?

answered Feb 16 '17 at 21:06

alex_edev

367412

add a comment |

What is it 'static variable'?

function countSheep($num) {

 static $counter = 0;

 $counter += $num;

 echo "$counter sheep jumped over fence";

}



countSheep(1);

countSheep(2);

countSheep(3);

Result:

1 sheep jumped over fence

3 sheep jumped over fence

6 sheep jumped over fence

Static variables use-cases

To store values between consequent calls to function.

To store values between recursive calls when there is no way (or no
purpose) to pass them as params.

To cache value which is normally better to retrieve once. For
example, result of reading immutable file on server.

Tricks

function countSheep($num) {

  static $counter = 0;

  $counter += sqrt($num);//imagine we need to take root of our sheep each time

  echo "$counter sheep jumped over fence";

}

Result:

2 sheep jumped over fence

5 sheep jumped over fence

9 sheep jumped over fence

Static function is kinda 'shared' between methods of objects of the
same class. It is easy to understand by viewing the following example:

class SomeClass {

  public function foo() {

    static $x = 0;

    echo ++$x;

  }

}



$object1 = new SomeClass;

$object2 = new SomeClass;



$object1->foo(); // 1

$object2->foo(); // 2 oops, $object2 uses the same static $x as $object1

$object1->foo(); // 3 now $object1 increments $x

$object2->foo(); // 4 and now his twin brother

This only works with objects of the same class. If objects are from different classes (even extending one another) behavior of static vars will be as expected.

Is static variable the only way to keep values between calls to a function?

answered Feb 16 '17 at 21:06

alex_edev

367412

What is it 'static variable'?

function countSheep($num) {

 static $counter = 0;

 $counter += $num;

 echo "$counter sheep jumped over fence";

}



countSheep(1);

countSheep(2);

countSheep(3);

Result:

1 sheep jumped over fence

3 sheep jumped over fence

6 sheep jumped over fence

Static variables use-cases

To store values between consequent calls to function.

To store values between recursive calls when there is no way (or no
purpose) to pass them as params.

To cache value which is normally better to retrieve once. For
example, result of reading immutable file on server.

Tricks

function countSheep($num) {

  static $counter = 0;

  $counter += sqrt($num);//imagine we need to take root of our sheep each time

  echo "$counter sheep jumped over fence";

}

Result:

2 sheep jumped over fence

5 sheep jumped over fence

9 sheep jumped over fence

Static function is kinda 'shared' between methods of objects of the
same class. It is easy to understand by viewing the following example:

class SomeClass {

  public function foo() {

    static $x = 0;

    echo ++$x;

  }

}



$object1 = new SomeClass;

$object2 = new SomeClass;



$object1->foo(); // 1

$object2->foo(); // 2 oops, $object2 uses the same static $x as $object1

$object1->foo(); // 3 now $object1 increments $x

$object2->foo(); // 4 and now his twin brother

This only works with objects of the same class. If objects are from different classes (even extending one another) behavior of static vars will be as expected.

Is static variable the only way to keep values between calls to a function?

answered Feb 16 '17 at 21:06

alex_edev

367412

answered Feb 16 '17 at 21:06

alex_edev

367412

answered Feb 16 '17 at 21:06

alex_edev

367412

answered Feb 16 '17 at 21:06

alex_edev

367412

add a comment |

<?php

$a = 1;

include 'b.inc';

?>

<?php

$a = 1; /* global scope */ 



function test()

{ 

    echo $a; /* reference to local scope variable */ 

} 



test();

?>

answered Sep 20 '15 at 11:18

Josip Ivic

2,89983254

It seems a little dishonest to copy verbatim the PHP manual page on variable scope without attribution.
– bishop
Oct 29 '18 at 20:02

add a comment |

<?php

$a = 1;

include 'b.inc';

?>

<?php

$a = 1; /* global scope */ 



function test()

{ 

    echo $a; /* reference to local scope variable */ 

} 



test();

?>

answered Sep 20 '15 at 11:18

Josip Ivic

2,89983254

It seems a little dishonest to copy verbatim the PHP manual page on variable scope without attribution.
– bishop
Oct 29 '18 at 20:02

add a comment |

<?php

$a = 1;

include 'b.inc';

?>

<?php

$a = 1; /* global scope */ 



function test()

{ 

    echo $a; /* reference to local scope variable */ 

} 



test();

?>

answered Sep 20 '15 at 11:18

Josip Ivic

2,89983254

<?php

$a = 1;

include 'b.inc';

?>

<?php

$a = 1; /* global scope */ 



function test()

{ 

    echo $a; /* reference to local scope variable */ 

} 



test();

?>

answered Sep 20 '15 at 11:18

Josip Ivic

2,89983254

answered Sep 20 '15 at 11:18

Josip Ivic

2,89983254

answered Sep 20 '15 at 11:18

Josip Ivic

2,89983254

answered Sep 20 '15 at 11:18

Josip Ivic

2,89983254

It seems a little dishonest to copy verbatim the PHP manual page on variable scope without attribution.
– bishop
Oct 29 '18 at 20:02

add a comment |

It seems a little dishonest to copy verbatim the PHP manual page on variable scope without attribution.
– bishop
Oct 29 '18 at 20:02

It seems a little dishonest to copy verbatim the PHP manual page on variable scope without attribution.
– bishop
Oct 29 '18 at 20:02

add a comment |

protected by Samuel Liew♦ Oct 5 '15 at 9:00

This page is only for reference, If you need detailed information, please check here

Category

Random preview

Reference: What is variable scope, which variables are accessible from where and what are “undefined...

3 Answers 3

What is "variable scope"?

How is a scope defined in PHP?

Example:

Scope and included files

What about functions inside functions and classes?

(anonymous) functions inside functions

classes

What is scope good for?

Crossing scope boundaries

The right way: passing variables in and out

Extending the scope of variables into anonymous functions

The wrong way: global

What is it 'static variable'?

Static variables use-cases

Tricks

Is static variable the only way to keep values between calls to a function?

protected by Samuel Liew♦ Oct 5 '15 at 9:00

3 Answers 3

3 Answers 3

What is "variable scope"?

How is a scope defined in PHP?

Example:

Scope and included files

What about functions inside functions and classes?

(anonymous) functions inside functions

classes

What is scope good for?

Crossing scope boundaries

The right way: passing variables in and out

Extending the scope of variables into anonymous functions

The wrong way: global

What is "variable scope"?

How is a scope defined in PHP?

Example:

Scope and included files

What about functions inside functions and classes?

(anonymous) functions inside functions

classes

What is scope good for?

Crossing scope boundaries

The right way: passing variables in and out

Extending the scope of variables into anonymous functions

The wrong way: global

What is "variable scope"?

How is a scope defined in PHP?

Example:

Scope and included files

What about functions inside functions and classes?

(anonymous) functions inside functions

classes

What is scope good for?

Crossing scope boundaries

The right way: passing variables in and out

Extending the scope of variables into anonymous functions

The wrong way: global

What is "variable scope"?

How is a scope defined in PHP?

Example:

Scope and included files

What about functions inside functions and classes?

(anonymous) functions inside functions

classes

What is scope good for?

Crossing scope boundaries

The right way: passing variables in and out

Extending the scope of variables into anonymous functions

The wrong way: global

What is it 'static variable'?

Static variables use-cases

Tricks

Is static variable the only way to keep values between calls to a function?

What is it 'static variable'?

Static variables use-cases

Tricks

Is static variable the only way to keep values between calls to a function?

What is it 'static variable'?

3 Answers
3

The wrong way: `global`

3 Answers
3

3 Answers
3

The wrong way: `global`

The wrong way: `global`

The wrong way: `global`

The wrong way: `global`