PHP Return Reference

In this chapter you will learn:

1. How to return a reference
2. Syntax to return reference from a function
3. Example - Return reference from a function

Description

As well as passing variables by reference into functions, you can also get functions to return references, rather than values.

Syntax

Place an ampersand before the function name in your function definition. Then, when you return a variable with the return statement, you pass a reference to that variable back to the calling code, rather than the variable ' s value:

function  &myFunc(){ 
    // (do stuff) 
   return $var;  // Returns a reference to $var 
}   

Example

Return reference from a function

<?PHP//from java 2s.  c  o m
   $myNumber = 5; 

   function  &getMyNumber() { 
     global $myNumber; 
     return $myNumber; 
   } 

   $numberRef = &getMyNumber(); 
   $numberRef++; 
   echo "\$myNumber = $myNumber\n";   // Displays "6" 
   echo "\$numberRef = $numberRef\n"; // Displays "6"   
?>

The code above generates the following result.

Next chapter...

What you will learn in the next chapter:

1. What is the scope of a variable
2. Example - variable scope

PHP Function

PHP Function Create

PHP Function Parameter

PHP Function Default Parameters

PHP Variable Length Parameter

PHP Function Reference Parameter

PHP Function Return

PHP Return Reference

PHP Variable Scope in Functions

PHP Global Variables

PHP Recursive Functions

PHP Anonymous Function

PHP static variable