PHP Function???????

[ChilliBoy]

Could anyone explain in layman terms how I can use the PHP function command.

I have got a script which I want to use several times for different scenarios. For each one of these only 1 variable in the script needs to change - therefore creating a function out of the script makes sense.

I've got a little way to understanding it, but can anyone help me along, and correct me where I'm wrong.

To create a function I do this:

<?php
function my_reusable_function($my_one_changing_variable)
{
//Insert the full script here
}
?>

To run the script with my changing variable I put:

<?php
my_reusable_function(the_variable_that_will_change);
?>

If I want to save my functions in a different directory to the scripts that reference them, how do I get the script to know where the function I want to use is?????

eg If I store my functions in mysite.com/php/functions

and my script that references it is in
mysite.com/scripts/myfirstscript.php

What do I need to insert within the script to find the function?????

[eKo]

You have to use the php-funtion 'include'. To use it in your script put

<php include "../php/functions/name_of_file_with_function_to_use_in_it.php" ?>

somewhere before you call the funtion.

[ChilliBoy]

Cheers,

Is this the same for both PHP4 and PHP3??
I read somewhere that PHP4 does something along these lines automatically (although I can't see how). I've probably got my wires crossed and its referring to something different.

[freddydoesphp]

You could set up an auto_prepend file in your php.ini or in a .htaccess file for a particular directory. But that would mean all your functions would be in one file. Or you could just use include() like stated in the last post, which would probably be the preferred method.

[ChilliBoy]

Thanks - I'll see how I get on.

[jumpthru]

also, if you need your function to take the variable and then return it after its been processed then do this:

function whatever($test) {
$test = $test * 5; //or whatever
return $test
}

then do

$var=whatever($test);

one questoin: does any one know how to return more than one variable? like return $test, $test2;

my c++ teacher says you cant (for c++) but i was thinking it would be really silly for them not to have you be able to return more than one variable...

[freddydoesphp]

For a case like that I normally do this

function sample($var1, $var2) {
$var1++;
$var2++;
return $var1."|".$var2;
}


$vars = explode("|", sample(2, 4));

[Son Nguyen]

I believe you could return an array (although in PHP, there is no barrier between variable types!)

But to be simple, Freddy's solution is optimal.