using references within objects

[XtrEM3]

so i want to have a $session variable throughout my entire website, i also want to be able to edit the $session variable from anywhere, and have it update the location it references, not a copy.

is this correct?

$session = new Session();

class User {
   var $id;
   var $session;

   function __construct(&$session){
      $this->session =& $session;
   }

   function otherFunction(){
      $this->session->user = 'Tommy';
   }
} 

in that example, does otherFunction edit the global session variable, or just a copy of it (local within the User class). if it's not working how i expect it to...how do i get it to work as expected?

thanks.

[stereofrog]

In php5 you there's no need anymore to use references with objects. Just remove all '&' to get working php5 code.

[XtrEM3]

thanks for your reply, stereofrog

i am also wondering, if i don't want to pass in $session as an arguement to the constructor, but instead call it from its global status, would that also not need to use the explicit reference syntax?

i.e.

$session = new Session();

class User {
   var $id;
   var $session;

   function __construct(){
      $this->session = $_GLOBAL['session'];
   }

   function otherFunction(){
      $this->session->setAge(15);
   }
}

$user = new User(); 

would that work as expected? and by working as expected i mean the global $session now points to the same location that $user->session; points to?

thanks for your time,
blayne

[stereofrog]

Yes, in php5 global $session and $user->session are referring to the same object. The reason is that unlike previous version, in php5 an object variable holds the pointer (address) of the object, not the object itself.

[XtrEM3]

i get it now, thanks!